Ambystoma salamanders, they combine genes from several males

  • Ambystoma salamanders combine genes from several males
Ambystoma salamanders combine genes from several males
 

Astonishingly, North American salamanders called Ambystoma can produce offspring that combine genes from several males. These cute amphibians mate with males from up to three related species, but they only produce female babies. Sometimes the male genes aren't passed on to the babies at all - they're just a way of triggering pregnancy. Fascinating!