First record of a sea anemone of genus Bunodosoma with two oral discs: a clue to asexual reproduction?

Abstract

Different reproductive strategies (both sexual and asexual) that may occur in individuals of the same species may explain the success of sea anemones (Cnidaria:Actiniaria) in colonizing different ecosystems around the planet. Here we provide the first record of a Bunodosoma specimen with two oral discs and discuss the possibility of asexual reproduction in this genus. One individual of Bunodosoma cangicum was found in Carneiros beach (Pernambuco state, Brazil) with two fully individualized oral discs but with column and pedal disc still connected. Our finding may represent a clue to longitudinal fission in Bunodosoma. Yet, despite the number of different studies carried out so far, the absence of data regarding asexual reproduction in Bunodosoma suggests that it might be rare in this genus, occurring only in sporadic cases such as recovery from injury.

Key words
Actiniaria; Actiniidae; Anthozoa; Bunodosoma cangicum; longitudinal fission