Parthenogenesis among reptiles is rare. Only a few species have the ability to reproduce asexually. Most of these are obligate parthenogenetic species that consist (almost) entirely of females, which can reproduce solely through parthenogenesis. Rarer are sexual species that only sporadically reproduce through parthenogenesis. A female Python molurus bivittatus (Reptilia, Boidae) from the Artis Zoo, Amsterdam, produced eggs in five consecutive years that contained embryos while she was isolated from males. These eggs might be fertilized with stored sperm, or might be the product of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis has not been shown for the Boidae family before. We performed parentship analyses on the snake and seven of her embryos using microsatellites and AFLP. Four microsatellite loci developed for this species combined with three loci developed previously for different snake species revealed too little variation to discriminate between sperm retention and parthenogenesis. With AFLP we were able to confirm that the Artis Zoo female reproduced parthenogenetically. Because the offspring are genetically identical to their mother, whereas in previous studies on sporadic parthenogenesis in snakes a loss of genetic information was reported, we conclude that the meiotic pathways that produce the diploid egg cells are different.

Efficiency of hymenopterous parasitoids to control pests in a biological control release program probably increases with increasing searching ability of the females, which, in return, likely depends on the distance from which females perceive their hosts (i.e., reactive distance). In this study, we first analyse this hypothesis with the help of a stochastic model simulating the walking path of isolated Trichogramma females during their searching behaviour. Then, this reactive distance is estimated using automatic recording and analysis of the walking path of female wasps. Finally, the genetic variability for this trait is analysed in a Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hym.; Trichogrammatidae) population. Three types of hosts were used: Eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lep.; Pyralidae), eggs of Mamestra brassicae L. (Lep.; Noctuidae) and 0.45 mm glass beads. M. brassicae eggs are perceived from 4.01 ± 0.15 mm, which is a significantly longer perceptive distance than for E. kuehniella eggs (3.69 ± 0.10 mm) and glass beads (3.67 ± 0.10 mm). Moreover, whatever the host tested, a significant genetic variation is observed in this trait in the population studied. The ecological and evolutionary implications and the agronomical importance of these results are discussed.

The ritual of Kambô or Sapo is a type of voluntary envenomation. During this purification ritual a shaman healer, from various South American countries, deliberately burns the right shoulder with a glowing stick from a fireplace. Excretions of Phyllomedusa bicolor (or Giant Leaf Frog, Kambô or Sapo) are then applied to these fresh wounds. This ritual is used as a means of purification of the body, supposedly brings luck to hunters, increases stamina and enhances physical and sexual strength. All the peripheral and most of the central effects of the secretion can be ascribed to the exceptionally high content of active peptides, easily absorbed through burned skin. This article describes the ritual and the bio-active peptides from the secretion.