As Christmas approaches, a virgin mother is awaiting the arrival of her offspring. In an evolutionary twist, Flora, the Komodo dragon, has managed to become pregnant without any male help. It would seem the timing is auspicious: the seven baby Komodo dragons are due this festive season. "We were blown away when we realised what she'd done," said Kevin Buley, a reptile expert at Flora's home at the Chester Zoo in this town in northern England. "But we certainly won't be naming any of the hatchlings Jesus." Other reptile species reproduce asexually in a process known as parthenogenesis. But Flora's...