US stingray who became pregnant without mate dies

Stingrays can give birth to as many as six offspring at a time

A stingray who miraculously became pregnant earlier this year, despite not sharing her tank with a male stingray, died over the weekend.

Charlotte, a rust-coloured round stingray, died after suffering from a rare reproductive disease, according to Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO, the North Carolina aquarium where she lived.

In February, Charlotte was said to be carrying as many as four young.

Her pregnancy was likely due to parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where a female egg is fertilized without the sperm from a male.

That phenomenon occurs in species including reptiles, insects and some fish.

When it was originally announced she was pregnant some believed she was impregnated by one of two "very young male sharks" who also lived in her tank.

Initially, the aquarium had predicted Charlotte would give birth in late February but she never delivered her offspring.

In May, the aquarium announced she had a disease that had "negatively impacted her reproductive system".

"The findings are truly a sad and unexpected medical development," the aquarium said at the time.

By June the aquarium said she was no longer pregnant but was in stable condition.

"Charlotte continues to be in her normal routine and content," the aquarium said.

Following her death Sunday, the aquarium closed on Monday.

Her pregnancy was followed by many across the US and was included in a Saturday Night Live sketch in March.

Saturday Night Live Anchor Michael Che and Ego Nwodim as Charlotte the Stingray during Weekend Update

The aquarium said it would continue to work with her medical care team and researcher.

It added that it "appreciates your continued love and support while we navigate this great loss".