Sea stars reproduce asexually primarily through a process called fragmentation.
Asexual Reproduction in Sea Stars: Fragmentation
Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction where a sea star's body breaks into two or more parts, and each part can then regenerate into a complete, new individual. This process relies on the sea star's remarkable regenerative abilities.
- Fragmentation: This involves the sea star physically dividing into separate pieces.
- Regeneration: Each fragment must contain a portion of the central disc to successfully regenerate. The reference states that a large arm, a fragment from another sea star, can develop into a new individual, highlighting this process (28-Feb-2021).
- New Individual: The separated fragment then develops into a completely new sea star.
| Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Fragmentation | The sea star's body breaks into two or more pieces. |
| Regeneration | Each fragment, containing part of the central disc, regrows missing body parts. |
| New Sea Star | A fully formed, genetically identical sea star develops from each fragment. |
This method of reproduction allows for rapid population growth under favorable conditions and ensures the continuation of the sea star's lineage.
