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Figure 153.
Coral polyps reproduce asexually by fission
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Budding
 
Budding
is a form of asexual reproduction that results from the outgrowth of a part of a cell 
or body region leading to a separation from the original organism into two individuals. In some 
invertebrate animals, such as corals and hydras, budding happens frequently. In hydras, a bud forms 
that grows into an adult and separates from the main body, as shown in Figure 154. In coral budding, 
however, the bud does not detach and instead multiplies as part of a new colony. 
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(credit: G. P. Schmahl, NOAA FGBNMS Manager)

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Figure 154.
Hydra reproduce asexually through budding.
 
Fragmentation
 
The splitting of the body into two pieces and subsequent regeneration is known as 
fragmentation. A new individual will emerge if the animal can fragment and the fragment is large 
enough. For instance, fragmentation is a common method of asexual reproduction in sea stars. Figure 
155 shows a sea star that regenerates a new sea star after having one of its arms severed. Fisheries 
workers have been known to cut sea stars in half and throw them back into the water in an effort to 
kill the creatures that are consuming their clam or oyster beds. There will be twice as many sea stars 
to prey on the oysters and clams, which is unfortunate for the workers because each of the two parts 
can regenerate a new half. Turbellarians, poriferans, and annelid worms all exhibit fragmentation. 
 
Figure 155.
Sea stars can procreate by breaking apart. The large arm, a piece of another sea 
star, is evolving into a different creature. 
 
Note that in fragmentation, there is generally a noticeable difference in the size of the 
individuals, whereas in fission, two individuals of approximate size are formed. 
Parthenogenesis

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In asexual reproduction, parthenogenesis occurs when an egg grows into a full-fledged 
individual without being fertilized. Depending on the process and the species, the offspring can be 
either haploid or diploid. Invertebrates like water fleas, rotifers, aphids, stick insects, some ants, 
wasps, and bees engage in parthenogenesis. Bees produce haploid males through parthenogenesis 
(drones). When eggs are fertilized, diploid females emerge; however, when fertilized eggs are fed a 
special diet (known as royal jelly), a queen emerges. 
A few vertebrate species, including some amphibians, fish, and reptiles, also reproduce 
through parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis has been seen in animal species that were separated by sex 
in terrestrial or marine zoos, despite the fact that it is more typical in plants. When separated from 
males, four female animals—two Komodo dragons, a hammerhead shark, a blacktop shark—all 
produced parthenogenic offspring
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