What did they do?
Researchers from Ohio State University put two types of mole salamander on a treadmill, one type was born via male/female sexual reproduction, the other asexually from a single female, and ‘encouraged’ them to walk by poking them in the backside.
Why did they do that?
The team wanted to know more about how the salamanders procreate in order to help with conservation efforts.
What did they find?
The salamanders that were born via male/female reproduction were willing to walk up to four times as long as their asexually produced counterparts with some individuals trekking for more than 14 kilometres (nine miles). The difference may be due to the asexually produced salamanders having less varied genes and lacking in those responsible for providing them with energy, the researchers say.
