Parthenogenesis has been documented in most vertebrate Classes (e.g. birds, fish) but never in mammals. Genomic imprinting provides one explanation for this observation. Why? Solution Parthrnogenesis is the process of reproduction from ovum without fertilization. It has been documented in most vertebrates but never in mammals because of polyploidy and hybridisation. On the cellular level, the distinction between parthenogens and sexuals is that, meiosis is accompanied by fusion of a male and female gamete. In parthenogenesis, meiosis is changed so that only one unique set of chromosomes is transferred in a non-random fashion. Germ cell doesn’t have centrioles (they’re lost throughout gametogenesis), the lack of centrioles is not a restrict to the egg cellular. The genomic imprinting, i.e. that sure genes will no longer activate unless paternal genes are lacking. That is an trouble with mammals and no longer with the parthenogenic vertebrates because mammals have an overabundance of a protein referred to as mos. when absent, automixis occurs (it normally blocks cleavage formation inside the oocyte, therefore, the oocyte can’t undergo automixis)..