Asexual reproduction by marginal budding in the tropical corallimorpharian Ricordea yuma (Corallimorpharia; Ricordeidae)

[Extract] Corallimopharians are a group of anthozoans that can rapidly monopolise patches of shallow water substrate on tropical coral reefs and persist as the dominant benthos after frequent disturbances (Chadwick-Furman and Spiegel 2000). One factor contributing to the ability to rapidly colonize available substrate is the diverse range of asexual reproductive strategies displayed by various corallimorphs, including pedal laceration, longitudinal fission and inverse or marginal budding (den Hartog 1980; Chen et al. 1995; Chadwick-Furman and Spiegel 2000).