The smalltooth sawfish are facing extinction, but they are fighting to survive according to a research published in the journal Current Biology on June 1.

They may be endangered, but scientists found that a species of critically endangered sawfish in the wild have resorted to reproducing through "virgin births" to curb their extinction, which is a result of overfishing and the destruction of their habitat, according to ioL SciTech.

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The asexual reproduction of the smalltooth sawfish in Florida witnessed by the scientists is reportedly the first solid evidence they have seen for any backboned animal in the wild.

In "virgin births," or parthenogenesis, scientists explain that female egg cells are able to mature into a baby without the help of fertilization from a male sperm cell. The egg instead absorbs a cell genetically identical, thus transforming into an offspring half as diverse as its mother.

Parthenogenesis is not unknown to some species, but offspring from "virgin births" do not usually survive.

Amazingly, the sawfish discovered by the study's researchers were not only found to be viable, but they are reportedly perfectly healthy. These sawfish were tagged and then later released into the wild.

The scientists were originally conducting a research on sawfish inbreeding, and that is when they chanced upon seven healthy offspring all born through parthenogenesis. They examined 3 percent of the seven sawfish.

On Monday, the scientists told Current Biology that the discovery is the first time that parthenogenesis has been seen on a vertebrate in the wild. They added that the females could have resorted to such a method since the species' numbers have been so low that there is also low mating opportunities.

"There have been a number of cases in reptiles, birds and sharks of 'virgin birth' in captivity," according to Andrew Fields, a marine biologist at Stony Brook University. "This raises many questions about how common this mode of reproduction is in the wild."

The smalltooth sawfish live for around three years in southwest Florida estuaries after they are born. They eventually move on to ocean coastal habitats over time.

In most of the Atlantic, the species cannot be found already. This comes as a shock as just a century ago, they are common inhabitants in the region, reported Live Science.

The depletion in the number of smalltooth sawfish is reportedly the result of habitat loss, "unintentional" overfishing, or simply getting caught in nets meant for other fish. In 2003, they were given US federal endangered species protection.

There are five species of sawfish, and all are classified endangered or critically endangered. According to The Washington Post, they could be the first marine animals to go extinct in the near future.

"It really surprised us," said Kevin Feldheim, manager of the Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution at Chicago's Field Museum. "It is possible that numbers are so low that females have a hard time finding mates. In such a situation, parthenogenesis can be used as a last-ditch effort for a female to pass on her genes."

Though the smalltooth sawfish have been found capable of "virgin births" or parthenogenesis, this ability is not enough to save them from going extinct.

Feldheim said the current findings should instead hasten efforts of saving the species before it becomes too late.

"Parthenogenesis could help endangered species like sawfish dodge extinction for a little while, but it should also serve as a wake-up call that we need serious global efforts to save these animals," Feldheim said.

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