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https://github.com/cmdcolin/oddbiology

A collection of weird biological phenomena
https://github.com/cmdcolin/oddbiology

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A collection of weird biological phenomena

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# oddbiology



See also https://github.com/cmdcolin/oddgenes



This repo is similar to oddgenes in motivation, but I wanted to cover weird biology in general for things, even some genome related things, that didn't entirely fit into oddgenes. Feel free to make PRs for more stuff!



# Genomes



## Large numbers of chromosomes in a butterfly



"Today I learned that the Atlas blue butterfly has 448–452 chromosomes. The highest number among  non-polyploid eukaryotic organisms."



https://twitter.com/Jente_O/status/1653469755569782808



See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_organisms_by_chromosome_count



## Seven different "genomes" in a single celled organism



Like we have mitochondrial genome in our cells, this single celled organism has 7 different genomes in it's cell



https://phys.org/news/2023-04-single-celled-alga-harbor-genomes.html



# Cellular



## Multiple-fission cell division



Dental plaque bacteria elongates and then splits into 3-14 cells in a cell division https://www.sciencealert.com/bacteria-in-your-mouth-reproduce-in-a-strange-rare-way-scientists-discover



More info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fission_(biology)#Multiple_fission



# Sex



## Parthogenesis



Parthenogenesis is an embryo that grows directly from unfertilized eggs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenogenesis)



Some species (e.g. whiptail lizards) are entirely female (https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/animals/are-there-any-all-female-species-in-the-wild.html)



There are other types of asexual reproduction as well https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asexual_reproduction



## Species with "more than two sexes"?



https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/77371/are-there-lifeforms-that-have-more-than-2-sexes



See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_system#List_of_sexual_systems



## Male pregnancy



Seahorses are a common example where they will host the growing embryos



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_pregnancy



## Sexual cannibalism



There are a variety of 'reasons' why cannibalism and sexual cannibalism occurs, but it is common across the tree of life https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_cannibalism



There are other types of cannibalism also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibalism



See also: trophic eggs (eggs as food) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trophic_egg



## Traumatic insemination



A number of examples listed here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_conflict



## Odd genitalia



- Kangaroos have "three vaginas" https://grist.org/animals/kangaroo-genitals-are-weirder-than-you-ever-thought-possible-2/



# Evolution



## Odd evolutionary relationships



- Mangoes, cashews, and pistachio are related to posion ivy (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-do-cashews-mangoes-and-poison-ivy-have-in-common/)

- Humans are more closely related to mushrooms than plants (https://gizmodo.com/why-are-mushrooms-more-like-humans-than-they-are-like-p-5940434)

- Humans are more closely related to a sea urchin than a fly or worm (https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2006/11/10/1785449.htm)

- Comb jellies are a sibling group to all other animals (not sponges) (https://www.mbari.org/news/genetic-research-offers-new-perspective-on-the-early-evolution-of-animals/)

- Oak trees are more related to pumpkins than to pine trees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVpFtiD-fo)

- Horses are more closely related to rhinos than antelope (even vs odd toed ungulates, (https://positivepeerpressure.blog/quirky-evolution-5-unlikely-animal-relatives-hiding-in-plain-sight-6e08cfd299a7)

- Hyraxes (rodent-looking mammal) are more related to manatees and elephants than any other rodent (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyrax)

- "There is no such thing as a tree" (or, woody trees are not 'monophyletic') (https://eukaryotewritesblog.com/2021/05/02/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tree/)

- "There is no such thing as a fish" (similar to above) (https://www.businessinsider.com/fish-do-not-exist-2016-8)



## Evolutionary hypotheses



- Eukaryotes evolved from giant viruses?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_eukaryogenesis 



# Convergent evolution examples



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_examples_of_convergent_evolution



## Parenting



The concept of 'parental care' evolved independently in many lineages  through convergent evolution



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_care