Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 63

Tentacle autotomy: an additional mode of asexual reproduction in Ricordea yuma (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Corallimorpharia)

Citation

Kaposi, K., Courtney, R.L. & Seymour, J.E. 2022. Tentacle autotomy: an additional mode of asexual reproduction in Ricordea yuma (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Corallimorpharia). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 63: 84–91. https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.63.2022.2021-04

Accepted

3 November 2021

Published online

31 May 2022

Peer reviewed

Yes

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.63.2022.2021-04

Keywords

clonal, development, replication, polyp, genetically identical

Abstract 

This paper presents a new mode of asexual reproduction of Ricordea yuma. Seventeen instances of tentacle autotomy (the deliberate shedding of tentacles) were observed in the tropical corallimorpharian, Ricordea yuma, over a four-month period. Of these, seven were deemed to have successfully completed transformation into polyps complete with mouth and tentacles. The majority of tentacles were able to attach to the bottom of the tissue culturing plates they were transplanted into for monitoring. Attachment appeared to have been made via intricate webs made of discharged cnidae, presumed to be spirocysts. Given that tentacle autotomy has been previously reported in both Scleractinia and Actiniaria, this strategy is likely to be used in other corallimorpharian species and may be an important strategy used to quickly clone themselves, monopolize habitats and outcompete other benthic inhabitants.