Scientists discover new self-cloning virgin birthed lizard species at Vietnamese lunch buffet

**Jenna** · 11-10-10, 07:45 PM

A Vietnamese reptile scientist who came across tanks full of the remarkably similar looking reptiles at small diners in rural villages in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province became intrigued when he noticed that all of the lizards appeared to be female. So the scientist, Ngo Van Tri of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, contacted an American colleague about what he was seeing. His friend -- a herpetologist at La Sierra University in Riverside, California -- immediately dropped everything to come out to assess the find.
Dr. Lee Grismer and his son, Jesse Grismer, a doctoral candidate, flew all the way to Hanoi and then faced a grueling two-day motorcycle trip out to a restaurant where the owner promised to set aside a stash of the creatures for study.
But there was a little problem, says Grismer.
"Unfortunately, the owner wound up getting drunk, and grilled them all up for his patrons... so when we got there, there was nothing left."
Faced with an empty tank and nearly dashed hopes, the men asked around at other cafes in the area for the local delicacy, and hired children to track down as many of the lizards as they could find.
The team soon had more than 60, and realized they had something special on their hands: a previously undocumented species.
"It's an entirely new lineage of life that was being eaten and sold in restaurants for food," says Grismer. "But it's something that scientists have missed for hundreds of years."
DNA sampling on the tiny reptiles brought another surprise: all of the lizards were female, and clones of their mothers.
It's a rare trait, but not unheard of. Some species of lizards and fish can adapt to parthenogenesis, or self-fertilization, especially when faced with adverse environments, pollution or over-hunting.

More here: Scientists discover unknown lizard species at lunch buffet - CNN.com

**Buttercup** · 11-10-10, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

"Unfortunately, the owner wound up getting drunk, and grilled them all up for his patrons... so when we got there, there was nothing left."

That just strikes me as funny.

**Car 4** · 11-10-10, 11:11 PM

Looks like this lizard took the admonition to go "f--k youself" liiterally.

Car 4

**SteelCityK9Cop** · 11-11-10, 02:03 PM

Great... now the debate is not longer weather the chicken you are eating is really cat... Thanks Jenna.. Thanks!

**Ducky** · 11-11-10, 04:55 PM

The link has pics of about 10 of them fried on a plate. Suddenly dinner doesn't sound so appealing anymore.

**Captain America** · 11-11-10, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

The link has pics of about 10 of them fried on a plate. Suddenly dinner doesn't sound so appealing anymore.

Jimmy Dean lizard links.

**Jenna** · 11-13-10, 10:57 AM

How sad they must have been, dying with their identical twin sisters, mothers, and daughters. At least they were together in their final moments.

**cajunguy** · 11-13-10, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

How sad they must have been, dying with their identical twin sisters, mothers, and daughters. At least they were together in their final moments.

Jen, you are one sick puppy - - - errrrr - - - sheep.

Good thing about reading this is it WILL help my diet. I think I'm losing weight already. (And the desire to eat - - - ANYTHING!)

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