Whiptails are a bad example here because of their interesting parthogenetic origins (hybridization). There are instances of snakes, normally viviparous, producing litters parthenogenetically. Specifically, a timber rattlesnake that had never been housed with a male, produced a parthenogenetic litter.

I don't see how it is possible that the litters discussed could be parthenogenetic. I saw the post some time ago, but weren't multiple phenotypes expressed in the offspring? If so, then we can rule out parthenogenesis. Multiple phenotypes would suggest segregation of alleles during meiosis and the production of gametes. If this was a parthenogenetic litter, the babies would be clonal versions of mom (and yes, all female). New gene expression--especially on the order of something that expresses itself obviously--would be extremeley, extremeley rare. Remember, parthenogenetic babies are the result of mitotic cell division and as such, there is no mechanism for different types of phenotypic expression.

Cheers,
Gabriel

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• Celia.... I wanted to respond, but... - Jeremy Stone, Fri Apr 14 14:43:05 2006
• Very informative!!! Great Post!!!n/p - Psycodelic, Fri Apr 14 14:56:51 2006
• RE: Celia.... I wanted to respond, but.. - boaphile, Fri Apr 14 15:29:23 2006
• PARTHENOGENESIS!!! - creptilia, Fri Apr 14 15:37:06 2006
• I had this same discussion... - wetceal, Fri Apr 14 15:52:50 2006
• If you end up proving those little girls - creptilia, Fri Apr 14 16:32:03 2006
• Parthenogenesis in Burmese Python - caparu, Fri Apr 14 18:52:14 2006
• parthenogenesis - sperm retention long. - PanamaRed, Fri Apr 14 16:23:42 2006
• No on parthenogenesis... - g.gartner, Fri Apr 14 17:33:01 2006
• RE: Good point... - PanamaRed, Fri Apr 14 17:51:50 2006
• Honestly, I do not know the pathway by.. - creptilia, Fri Apr 14 19:58:49 2006
• geneticly identical, and looking..... - PanamaRed, Fri Apr 14 20:57:34 2006
• RE: geneticly identical, and looking.... - g.gartner, Sat Apr 15 17:34:21 2006
• Hi Celia....>> - LindaH, Fri Apr 14 19:51:00 2006
• Hey Linda... - wetceal, Fri Apr 14 23:03:24 2006
• RE: Celia.... I wanted to respond, but... - jacktdyer, Sat Apr 15 15:50:00 2006