The term parthenogenesis is taken from the Greek words "parthenos", meaning “virgin,” and "genesis", meaning “origin.” More than 2,000 species... Read More
The term parthenogenesis is taken from the Greek words "parthenos", meaning “virgin,” and "genesis", meaning “origin.” More than 2,000 species are thought to reproduce parthenogenically, without a mate. In Greek mythology, parthenogenesis is used by many of the earliest deities, including Chaos, Nyx, and Eros, the main reason behind it being the lack of partners. Later, very powerful gods use this method to produce offspring without the messiness involved in having a partner. For example, Zeus uses parthenogenesis to produce Athena all by himself out of his head.
I find it fascinating that the Ancient Greeks had already had this idea before the reality of the phenomenon was discovered in the 18th century by Charles Bonnet.
