Morphological Variability during Longitudinal Fission of the Intertidal Sea Anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt)

Abstract

The sea anemone Anthopfeura elegantissima forms clonal aggregations on rocky shores along the Pacific Coast of North America by a process of longitudinal fission. Fission can occur by lateral stretching of the column and separation of the two halves followed by internal regeneration of parts of the actinopharynx and of the column. Two new directive mesenteries, one siphonoglyph, and several pairs of mesenteries flanking the directives also form . Alternatively, large individuals appear to form new directive mesenteries and siphonoglyphs well in advance of division