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Lizard Previously Unknown To Science Found On Vietnam Menu

Posted by samzenpus on from the try-the-bigfoot-burger dept.

eldavojohn writes "A lizard long served on the menu in the Mekong Delta has recently caught the attention of scientists when it was noted that all animals in the species appeared identical as well as female. The species appears to be a hybrid of two other species (like a mule or liger). But the curious thing is that this hybrid isn't sterile — it reproduces asexually. The species, known for some time in Vietnam, has now officially been named Leiolepis ngovantrii."

8 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm.. what if by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I wonder how the world would function if we reproduced asexually (ie 1 gender only). lol

    1. Re:Hmmm.. what if by The+Pirou · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Who is to say we don't? Parthenogensis, while generally (allegedly) uncommon outside of invertebrates, is nothing new. If one were given to biblical pontifications, you could say that it's even been documented in humans. I'm more inclined to believe that things I've read in books that were several thousand years old were written due to lies made by an ashamed couple, but given the lack of 'medical science' that we presently have compared to then, I would be a fool to completely write it off. If it's still happening in Komodo's & Boa constrictors, I don't see why it couldn't happen (albeit rarely) in other ranks of Biological Classifications as well.

  2. It tastes quite good, really. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    It tastes best when fried. It is crispy and sweet, similar to snakes.
    I used to hunt these lizards and ate them once in a while but mainly I fed them to my pigs. Back then (more than 20 years ago), few people ate them.
     

  3. Be glad we got to see it... by Lead+Butthead · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Be glad we got to see it before we eat it into extinction (too.)

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    ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!?
  4. Predicted by The Onion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-delicious-species-discovered,1331/

  5. According to which definition of species? by srussia · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Species problem

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    Set your phasers on "funky"!
  6. Re:Biggest question not answered! by mekongdelta · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I really enjoy your comments! I am a long time /. reader but have never posted a comment. Yes, I created this account to specifically post my comments on this topic. I am a native Vietnamese speaker too who used to live in Can Tho city - a city that is right at Mekong Delta. When I was a teenager hunting these lizards was my favorite activity after school. They run very fast, they are usually on the ground but they can climb trees as fast. And their bites can be lethal, or so I thought (there was a rumor that when they bite you, you had to drink a mouthful of water quickly; otherwise, if the lizards drink the water before you do, you die ! :-( Like I said their meat tastes quite good, actually very good (otherwise, they wouldn't be on the menu) but the main reason I like to hunt them because catching them are fun andI can sell them for a few bucks (we call it Dong in Vietnam)

  7. Re:TERRIBLE RESTAURANT!!!!! by LongearedBat · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Mmmm... witchetty grubs. =b..
    Info