Scientists solve mystery of ‘VIRGIN’ birth: UK scientists STAGGERED by ‘fish called Mary’

The second process happens with hermaphrodite – fish born with both male and female sex organs.

Andrew MacColl, associate professor of evolutionary biology, said: “Although this almost accidental find revealed a vanishingly rare phenomenon, it might help us to understand a really important change that has happened throughout the tree of life.

“Most animals lay eggs, but some – including almost all mammals, but few fish – retain their eggs inside and give birth to live young.

“Although this appears to be a difficult thing to achieve in evolution, this one little fish seems to have got there almost by itself.”