Sex is Weird 6: Virgin birth

It turns out not everyone was listening when it was written 'it takes two to tango' and some species can go it alone in their quest to reproduce. And then there's the plants that decided THREE or ONE was for them, never an even number.Why is sex so… suspiciously complicated?Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the natural world.Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.Featuring:Dr Meredith Lake, Presenter, Soul Search ABC Radio NationalDr Michael Whitehead, Evolutionary EcologistLibby Eyre, Biologist, Macquarie UniversityAssociate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, FloridaProfessor Michael Kearney, University of MelbourneDr Christine Dudgeon, University of QueenslandProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerAdditional mastering: Isabella TropianoThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.