The sawfish virgin births are not unnatural – they are a survival strategy | Aarathi Prasad

Many tiny species reproduce without sex, but in the case of these larger, endangered creatures, it is inbreeding born from necessity

The news this week that sawfish have been found to have had virgin births in the wild is not a niche occurrence. For many of the planet's animal species, reproduction is not always what it seems. Some, such as bdelloid rotifers have successfully reproduced for millions of years without sex. In others, such as stingless wasps, little fire ants and some fish, the need for sex to reproduce and even their gender, can be changed by fungal infection or bacteria.

Related: Sex and the sawfish: the world of wildlife virgin births