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But in Squalius alburnoides, sperm with multiple chromosome sets can provide all the nuclear genetic material needed for a viable offspring — paving the way for androgenesis.

Though he acknowledges one in 100 fish is a rare occurrence, Mr. Morgado-Santos thinks this instance of androgenesis could represent a “snapshot” of a population moving toward becoming its own species.

Put another way, androgenesis may help this fish become independent from the other Squalius species it relies on to reproduce.