Question

how copperhead snakes transition between the two different reproductive mechanisms are there any factors that can trigger asexual reproduction versus sexual reproduction

Answer 1

Copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) can reproduce sexually or asecually (via parthenogenesis).

Pathenogenesis takes place in female copperhead snakes, an embryo forms from an unfertilized egg cell, these embryos are clones of the mother, therefore the offsprings are females (will never have testes). The parthonogenesis originates from the fusion of the second polar body to the egg nucleus.

When the are enough males in the poluation and the right contitions sexual reproduction takes place, which involves fusion of male and female gametes, which production dependends on meiosis.

The switch between sexual an asexual reproduction might be triggered by three things:

-Seasonal environmental conditions

-Lack of males

-Conditions that favor population growth.