if their sexual reproductive systems have "just about disappeared", then they aren't female anymore are they? The species has become asexual.
Interestingly, if chance has had it that this has occurred with this 'female' species, that means that there also is statistical probability existing for a case of all-male or formerly all-male species reproducing somehow by a similar method.
i remember reading a David Brin book now about something like this but i can't remember the name, where males and females had altered their mating seasons so that females are in 'heat' at a time when males have low libido and vice versa. Brin said he had taken this idea from a study observation of insects that had this evolved trait so as to avoid conflicts within the two sexes (went on about saving much needed energy etc etc BS). But it was an interesting observation of the insect world transmorgified into an alternate fiction about humans... hmm, maybe fodder for a new Star Trek movie perhaps? oh, too late, Shatner's crew have done the Amazonia planet thing already...
@Gann: it really depends on the exact mechanism of parthenogenisis this species uses. it's entirely possible for the offspring of a single parent, one with only one set of sex organs, to be genetically different from the parent or from their brothers and sisters. it all boils down to the ploidy of the cells of this particular species.
@tetracycloide: True that evolution can still take place. But without the mingling of chromosomes, the genetic difference and likelihood of birthing new traits won't be as pronounced as with sexual reproduction, right?
Although in this case, with this species, it doesn't seem to hinder their survival any, which is all evolution really wants anyhow.
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Interestingly, if chance has had it that this has occurred with this 'female' species, that means that there also is statistical probability existing for a case of all-male or formerly all-male species reproducing somehow by a similar method.
i remember reading a David Brin book now about something like this but i can't remember the name, where males and females had altered their mating seasons so that females are in 'heat' at a time when males have low libido and vice versa. Brin said he had taken this idea from a study observation of insects that had this evolved trait so as to avoid conflicts within the two sexes (went on about saving much needed energy etc etc BS). But it was an interesting observation of the insect world transmorgified into an alternate fiction about humans... hmm, maybe fodder for a new Star Trek movie perhaps? oh, too late, Shatner's crew have done the Amazonia planet thing already...
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Yes, it is.
There are also fish and some amphibians that use parthenogenesis extensively.
-Kle.
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It fucking drives me mental. WHY THE FUCK DO YOU DO IT?!
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-POPE JOHN PEEPS II
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Although in this case, with this species, it doesn't seem to hinder their survival any, which is all evolution really wants anyhow.
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I've been to bars completely full of male clones.
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