parthenogenesis

[eberntson]

Can you say "parthenogenesis"? I knew you could...

This is topical because a Komodo Dragon names Flora in the Chester, England zoo has just performed this feat, plus since it is just before Christmas it is even more special.

Parthenogenesis or virgin birth (from the Greek pa??e??? parthenos, "virgin", + ?e?es?? genesis, "birth") describes the growth and development of an embryo or seed without fertilization by a male. Parthenogenesis occurs naturally in some species, including lower plants (called agamospermy), invertebrates (e.g. water fleas, aphids, some bees and parasitic wasps), and vertebrates (e.g. some reptiles, fish, and, very rarely, birds). Parthenogenetic populations must be all-female because there is no contribution from a male. The offspring may be capable of sexual reproduction, however, if that exists in the species. As with all types of asexual reproduction, there are both costs and benefits associated with parthenogenesis.

[Bailey]

either that or she was good at finding a male by climbing out of her pen. I hope they check on the dna.

mark now-we-will-find-some-mice-spontaneously-generated-in-a-bell-jar Bailey

[eberntson]

Apparently & I would assume Komodo dragons are rare or non-existant in Chester, England. The zoo says they don't have any boy Komodos', they only have another girl. They are quite sure she is a virgin.

See http://www.chesterzoo.org/newsitem.asp?ID=257 for more detail.

[skinem]

I would be interested in knowing if there is any connection between the word parthenogenesis and the Parthenon (either the one in Athens or the one in Nashville).

par·the·no·gen·e·sis
Pronunciation: "pär-th&-nO-'je-n&-s&s
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek parthenos + Latin genesis genesis
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals
- par·the·no·ge·net·ic /-j&-'ne-tik/ also par·the·no·gen·ic /-'je-nik/ adjective
- par·the·no·ge·net·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Par·the·non
Pronunciation: 'pär-th&-"nän
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek ParthenOn
: a Doric temple of Athena built on the acropolis at Athens in the fifth century B.C.

[gailr]

I would be interested in knowing if there is any connection between the word parthenogenesis and the Parthenon (either the one in Athens or the one in Nashville).

The original (in Athens) was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Athena the virign.

The term virgin, especially as applied to human females, has various nuances depending on the place and historical period. Some (especially those who share some of Athena's purported views) define virginity asa state of completeness in oneself, independent of male attachment.


As regards the komodo dragon story: parthenogenesis is not the only way some species can adjust to their environment to regulate their populations. Some are able to change genders as well.

-gailr
There may be a fine line between virgo and virago...

[skinem]

Thank you, Gail! That's a big "duh" on my part.
Do you think it helps to actually completely read the original post of a thread?
I'm starting to think it might...

[tcward]

The term virgin, especially as applied to human females, has various nuances depending on the place and historical period. Some (especially those who share some of Athena's purported views) define virginity asa state of completeness in oneself, independent of male attachment.

If I remember correctly, weren't said temples also under the supervision of virgins?

[Perry]

Some ancient religions reportedly sacrificed virgins, so it may not have been all fun and games for them.

[sluggo]

A lifetime ago I read a very plausible theory on origins of what he called Marianity, specifically the author noted that in the translation of the original gospel from Hebrew to Greek, the problem arose that Hebrew had two words meaning "virgin": as I remember they were almah and bethulah , one of which meant a physical virgin of no sexual experience, and the other meaning an unmarried (or perhaps more specifically unchildrened) young woman, along the lines of our semi-archaic "maiden".

Wellsir, apparently the Hebrew original had used the latter (maiden), speaking simply of a young woman conceiving, an everyday happenstance; but the problem was that Greek only had parthenos, meaning more specifically the former. Thus when the Greek text was disseminated to its large audience, it was interpreted as physical virgin, synced with 'virgin birth' rumours already extant and popular with other deities of the time, and a star was born.

Anyway thus spake that guy. Perry?

[Bailey]

Nowadays there are only vestige virgins.

mark gotta-lotta-voices Bailey

[Perry]

Betulah is the physical, and almah is just a maiden. (At least in modern common usage.)

[sluggo]

Betulah is the physical, and almah is just a maiden. (At least in modern common usage.)

Thanks, I never could keep those two straight

[gailr]

... but the problem was that Greek only had parthenos, ...

Thanks for the clarification on betulah and almah, Perry.

If you've seen Kore statues in museums (or photos of them in art/history classes), you know that Greek does, in fact, have similar vocabulary options: girl / maiden = κόρη / κορίτσι; virgin = παρθένος. I was taught that the NT choice of virgin is due to the writers and editors of those books. A miracle is all well and good, but a really miraculous miracle makes for a better story.

I have wondered how the maid/virgin choice plays out in the Bibles of other, especially non-Romance, languages. Can any of our resident polyglots comment?

-gailr
ps: good joke, Bailey!

[portokalos]

Εντάξει υπάρχει και το παρθένο ελαιόλαδο.

[Stargzer]

Εντάξει υπάρχει και το παρθένο ελαιόλαδο.

True. I don't believe that she and Popeye the Sailor ever got it on.