25 EXAMPLES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION - BIOLOGY - 2024

Asexual reproduction is that form of reproduction in which a living being developed through mitotic processes can form a new individual, with the same genetic characteristics.

Only one parent is necessary and you do not need sex cells or gametes. The simplest organisms reproduce through excision, that is, the mother cell divides into two completely equal ones.

Prokaryotic fission, binary fission, is a form of asexual reproduction.

The cell division that occurs for the constitution of tissues and organs is not considered reproduction.

In more complex organisms such as multicellular animals, the division is carried out by buds. These are extensions that grow in the parent body, which later separate to develop as new organisms.

Outstanding examples of asexual reproduction

Marbled crabs

This type of crab is an invasive species in many ecosystems and performs asexual reproduction through apomixis.

This process is normally reserved for plants, and consists of the development of an embryo without fertilization.

Salamanders

Some types of salamander reproduce asexually through gynogenesis. The male's sperm is necessary, but it has no genetic load.

Whip-tailed lizard

This type of lizard only has a female population. They reproduce through partogenesis, which means the virginal development of the ovum without the need for prior fertilization by a male.

Scorpions

Not all scorpions have asexual reproduction. But some species such as Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello from Brazil, Tityus columbianus (Thorell) from Colombia and Tityus metuendus Pocock from Peru and Brazil, use partogenesis as a means of reproduction.

Komodo Dragonas

Komodo dragons can also use partogenesis as a means of reproduction.

A curious fact is that the self-fertilized eggs that come out are only male dragons.

Water fleas

These fleas have two types of reproduction, sexual and asexual, in asexual reproduction, females produce eggs with identical characteristics to them and only females are produced.

Sharks in captivity

It has been the case of sharks that were in captivity that have developed asexual reproduction.

The female has the ability to create and maintain the offspring without the need for sperm from the males.

It is believed that asexual reproduction can also occur in wild female shark, but the hypothesis has not yet been tested

Paramecium

They are protist organisms found in freshwater ponds. They reproduce through fission, where the nucleus is divided in two by the process of mitosis.

Hydra

It is an organism that can be found in fresh water, similar to a squid in shape. It reproduces asexually through buds.

These grow as a continuation of your body and then break off to develop a new organism

Planarians

They are peaty organisms that live in fresh waters. These are hermaphrodites and can use asexual reproduction by fission to create new individuals.

Wasps

The reproduction of wasps is a bit complex. The chromosomes that they create in the eggs through the Wolbachia bacteria make the offspring exact clones of their mother.

This has led to wasp species in which the males have completely disappeared due to the Wolbachia bacteria.

Every time a wasp lineage splits in two, the Wolbachia strain develops as an isolated species in each group of wasps.

Sand loach or sea biscuit

These living beings have both types of reproduction. When they feel threatened, they use asexual reproduction to create clones of themselves since the predators do not attack the cloned larvae and thus perpetuate their species.

Sea stars

Starfish can reproduce asexually by fragmentation. A part is divided from the main individual, forming a completely new and independent one.

Amoebas

Amoebas can reproduce asexually through the fission process, where the two nuclei separate creating genetically identical amoebas.

Blind shingles

One of the smallest snakes in the world, it can reproduce sexually or asexually.

If it reproduces asexually by partogenesis, it can only create female clones.

Sea lily

These aquatic plants reproduce asexually by partition. The detached part of the lily can regenerate and seal the wounds forming a new plant.

Sea sponges

They have both types of reproduction. In asexual reproduction, a new sponge is formed as a bud from the mother. When the mother sponge dies, the new one can break free and grow.

Sea urchins

Sea urchins reproduce asexually by fragmentation. It is divided into two or more parts and these create new individuals.

Sea anemones

They also have both types of reproduction. In asexual reproduction they reproduce by means of longitudinal fission. They are divided into two halves creating new individuals.

Sea cucumber

This marine organism also has both types of reproduction. In asexual reproduction, a transverse fission occurs creating two new individuals.

Bees

Bees reproduce asexually through partogenesis. They produce eggs without the need to be fertilized by the male. But they also have sexual reproduction.

Aphids

These insects also have both types of reproduction. Asexual reproduction by partogenesis takes place twice a year.

While sexual reproduction only takes place in winter to create individuals that will overcome adverse conditions.

Ants

Ants, like bees, reproduce by partogenesis. And those that reproduce sexually is to create queen ants.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are marine animals that reproduce asexually through budding. The new individual grows attached to his mother and then separates creating a new individual

Corals

Corals are also an asexual organism that reproduces by fragmenting and creating new life from its pieces.

References

1. MOGIE, Michael. The evolution of asexual reproduction in plants. London: Chapman and Hall 276p.-. ISBN, 1992.
2. COOK, Robert Edward. Asexual reproduction: a further consideration. The American Naturalist, 1979, vol. 113, no 5, p. 769-772.
3. ENGELSTAEDTER, Jan. Constraints on the evolution of asexual reproduction. BioEssays, 2008, vol. 30, no 11-12, p. 1138-1150.
4. GINTHER, OJ, et al. Reproductive biology of the mare-basic and applied aspects. Reproductive biology of the mare-basic and applied aspects., 1979.
5. RAFF, Rudolf A. The shape of life: genes, development, and the evolution of animal form. University of Chicago Press, 2012.
6. BRUSCA, Richard C.; BRUSCA, Gary J. Invertebrates. McGraw-Hill, 2005.
7. FRIED, George H. Biology. McGraw-Hill Interamericana,, 1990.