Asexual Reproduction in Animals With Examples


Asexual reproduction occurs most often in unicellular organisms which do not need a partner to proliferate. In fact, it is very uncommon in multicellular eukaryotic organisms such as animals. Animals most often carry out sexual reproduction, making asexual animals in the animal kingdom to be very rare. However, it is a process which can occur in some rare cases in animals. Our understanding of reasons for this are poor, but it is likely because it provides some type of evolutionary advantage.
AnimalWised explores asexual reproduction in animals with examples. In addition to providing a definition, we look at the types of asexual reproduction occur and what asexual animals we can find in nature.
What is asexual reproduction in animals?
Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction carried out by certain organisms such as plants and algae. It occurs when the fusion of gametes or change in number of chromosomes is not involved. In other words, this type of reproduction does not involve two individuals copulating. It is simply carried out by one individual.
It is often done by a parent cloning themselves. There are many different types of asexual reproduction which we will take a look at later in this article. Asexual reproduction is the primary form of reproduction for single-celled prokaryotic organisms such as archaea and bacteria. Many multicellular plants and fungi can also reproduce asexually, but only a minority of animal species have this ability.
Main characteristics of asexual reproduction
To help our definition of asexual animals, here are the main characteristics of asexual reproduction:
- Only one parent is involved
- No fertilization or gamete formation takes place
- This process of reproduction occurs in a short period of time
- Their offspring is genetically the same or very similar
For a better understanding of asexual reproduction, we can take a look at how it compares to sexual reproduction. You can do so with our article on types of animal reproduction.
Types of asexual reproduction with examples
There are many types and subtypes of asexual reproduction in animals. If we include plants and bacteria, the list gets even longer. This article is limited to themain types of asexual reproduction in animals:
Fission
Also known as binary fission, is when an organism splits into two separate organisms after a period of growth. This occurs through mitosis which is when a parent cell splits into two identical daughter cells of the same size.
This mainly occurs in prokaryotic microorganisms (have cells lacking a clearly defined nucleus) such as archaea and bacteria, as well as in some invertebrates. Unicellular eukaryotic organisms have cells with a nucleus) such as protists and fungi may also undergo binary fission by mitosis,. Most of these multicellular organisms are also capable of sexual reproduction.
Examples of fission in animals: while it is more common in unicellular bacteria, fungi and algae, some flatworms, corals and sea anemones are animals that reproduce via binary fission.
Fragmentation
In fragmentation, a body part breaks away which later develops into complete organisms. This is most known in the case of starfish that can separate an arm to asexually reproduce or in life-threatening situations. Then, that arm will completely develop into an identical starfish. However, like many other asexual reproductive animals, starfish are capable of reproducing sexually too. Learn more in our article about how starfish reproduce.
This also occurs in most lichens, which form a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and photosynthetic algae or bacteria. This ensures that new individuals contain both symbionts.
Examples of fragmentation in animals include: some species of starfish, sea sponges, annelid worms and acoel flatworms can reproduce via fragmentation.

Budding
This type of asexual reproduction is when an organism reproduces from the outgrowth of a part of a cell or body region, leading to a separation from the original organism into two individuals. This mainly occurs in some invertebrate animals, such as corals and hydras.
To give a better understanding, let's take a look at the example of hydras. In these organisms, a bud forms that develops into an adult, which breaks away from the main body. Whereas in corals, the bud does not detach, but it multiplies as part of a new colony. Corals can also reproduce via fragmentation.
Examples of budding in animals include: asexual animals that reproduce by budding include corals, hydras, sponges, acoel flatworms and echinoderm larvae.
Parthenogenesis
This type of asexual reproduction is when an egg develops into a complete individual without being fertilized. The resulting offspring can be either haploid or diploid. This will depend on the process and the species. Parthenogenesis occurs in invertebrates, such as water fleas, rotifers, aphids, stick insects, some ants, wasps and even bees.
In the case of bees, these insects use parthenogenesis to produce haploid males (drones) and diploid females (workers). If an egg is fertilized, a queen bee is produced. However, only the queen bee regulates the reproduction of bees in her hive. If you want to learn more, we invite you to read our article about what bees eat.
Some vertebrate animals, such as certain reptiles or fish, also reproduce through this type of asexual reproduction. There are also plants that use this method of asexual reproduction.
Examples of parthenogenesis in animals include: Komodo dragons, bonnet-head sharks, black-tip sharks, other reptiles, amphibians and fish, as well as water fleas, rotifers, aphids, stick insects, some ants, wasps and bees.

Hermaphroditism
Another similar occurrence when it comes to reproduction in the animal kingdom, is hermaphroditism. This is when an organism has both male and female gametes, and therefore, can reproduce sexually or asexually. This is the case for earthworms, snails, leeches, prawns, oysters, starfish, certain frogs and certain fish. Learn more in our article about hermaphroditism.

Advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction
Animals do not use this reproductive strategy as a habitual method of reproduction. Instead, they only carry it out at adverse times, such as changes in the environment, extreme temperatures, drought, absence of males, high predation, etc.
Asexual reproduction reduces genetic variability, which could result in the disappearance of a colony, group or population of animals if sudden changes in the environment continue. With this being said, let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction:
Advantages
- Mates are not required
- The process of reproduction is fast
- Many organisms can be produced in a short amount of time
- Positive genetic characteristics pass onto their offspring
- Can occur in different environments, even harsh climates
- Can help keep the species alive
Disadvantages
- Lack of diversity in the genetics
- They are unable to adapt to the changing environment
- Negative genetic characteristics are also passed onto their offspring
- A single change in the environment could eliminate the entire species
This is why many of these animals opt for sexual reproduction, but if that is not possible, as it can be difficult for them to find a mate, they will resort to asexual reproduction in order to ensure themselves the continuity of their species.
If you want to learn more about how animals reproduce, take a look at our article on examples of viviparous animals.
If you want to read similar articles to Asexual Reproduction in Animals With Examples, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.
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