Fragmentation (reproduction)

Fragmentation as a method of reproduction is seen in organisms such as spirogyra, filamentous cyanobacteria, molds, lichens, sponges, acoel flatworms, some annelid worms and sea stars.

Molds, yeasts and mushrooms, all of which are part of the Fungi kingdom, produce tiny filaments called hyphae.

People use fragmentation to artificially propagate many plants via division, layering, cuttings, grafting, micropropagation and storage organs, such as bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes.

When the splitting occurs due to specific developmental changes, the terms orchiectomy, laparotomy, and budding are used.

Budding is similar to paratomy except that the body axes need not be aligned: the new head may grow toward the side or even point backward (e.g. Convolutriloba retrogemma an acoel flat worm).

[4][5] Many types of coral colonies can increase in number by fragmentation occurring naturally[6] or artificially.

Genera highly tolerant of fragmentation include Acropora, Montipora, Pocillopora, Euphyllia, and Caulastraea among others.

Corals can be multiplied in aquaria by attaching "frags" from a mother colony to a suitable substrate, such as a ceramic plug or a piece of live rock . This aquarium is designed specifically for growing coral colonies from frags.