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GNP NEWS: Eggs from Lonesome George's Companion are Infertile, Once Again
16 December 2009
Once again, the eggs deposited by Lonesome George’s companion are infertile.
The incubation period for the eggs from the first nest found this year in Lonesome George’s corral is over, producing sad results for the scientific world.
Earlier this year, Female #107, a giant tortoise who shares a corral with Lonesome George, laid five eggs. Following the 120-day incubation period, all of these eggs were shown to be infertile, with no indication of embryo formation.
The five eggs were placed in incubators at the Captive Breeding Center of the Galapagos National Park Service at 29.5o C, which is the ideal temperature to develop female offspring. Lonesome George, the last known Pinta tortoise (Geochelone abingdoni), is cared for by Park rangers in a corral at the Captive Breeding Center, along with two female tortoises brought from Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island.
The six eggs from the second nest found this year are still undergoing the incubation period. However, periodic monitoring has detected that they are becoming lighter, which is probably an indication that they are also infertile. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to wait for the completion of the entire 120-day incubation period for definitive results.
Proceso de Relaciones Públicas – Parque Nacional Galápagos – Ecuador
For more information, write to: comunicacion@spng.org.ec, or visit www.galapagospark.org
Really sorry to hear the bad news.
May I ask what humidity you are incubating the eggs at please?
Kindest Regards
Darren
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk
— Darren · Friday December 18, 2009 · #
Darren,
We do not know the incubation humidity, but we do know that the GNP has been captively breeding tortoises for decades now, and they have improved over the years and nearly perfected their recreation of the incubation environment for tortoise eggs. Their success rate for hatchlings of “fertile” eggs is higher than it’s ever been, so it is unlikely that something about the recreated incubation environment contributed to the infertility of the eggs. We’ll try to find out the actual humidity though — as I can see that your organization is quite involved in this kind of work, too.
Cheers! —GC Staff
— GC Staff · Friday December 18, 2009 · #
Hi, if you are reading this, I just am wondering if you guys are aware of the other Tortoise in a Prague zoo that is thought to be another Pure Pinta Male? There is an article on him speculating that he is from Pinta Island. Here is the article: http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/06-07-28
Please get back to me. Thanks! -Jake
— Jacob · Saturday December 19, 2009 · #
Maybe next time you should leave a couple of eggs to be incubated naturally under normal conditions.
Best Regards,
— Hazem ELshabini · Monday December 21, 2009 · #
Hello, While we were saddened to hear that the eggs are infertile, we were wondering if there was evidence that the eggs were fertilized. That is, can the female tortoises lay eggs even if they have not mated?
We visited there last July right when the eggs were discovered, so we had a particular hope for a positive outcome!
A different question is whether George’s genetic material can be culled, either through a “Dolly”-like method from any of his cells, or through removal of his sperm. Yes, this would be an extreme method but it is worth it!
We wondered whether introducing other male tortoises into the enclosure might encourage George to “compete” for the females more actively?
Finally, are there other female tortoises that might be a closer genetic match? Perhaps that would help the fertilization process?
We’re sure you have contemplated all these ideas. Hopefully there will be some babies for George in the future!!!
Thanks a lot. — Carolyn Patterson
— Carolina Patterson · Monday December 28, 2009 · #
Considering the above notes I’d like to ask why the Prague “lonesome George” hasn’t been gene tested yet? Or has he?
And the idea of having this fellow(if he’s actually from Abingdon Is)in the environment to compete with George and inspire competition and hormones could only hasten the day we have little abingdonis running around once more seems like a GREAT idea.
How about it?
— Bill Kohler · Friday January 01, 2010 · #
Carolyn:
Yes, female tortoises can and do lay eggs without male contact.
They can also ‘store’ sperm somehow, and produce eggs years after mating. The percentage of viable eggs decreases with each clutch.
— Vicky Sentana · Sunday March 07, 2010 · #
Maybe they should keep some eggs with the female so she can incubate them naturally, while we artificially incubate some others then try to see what happens.
— Tyler Fleetwood · Sunday April 18, 2010 · #