Fragmentation (reproduction)

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Fragmentation in multicellular or colonial organisms is a form of asexual reproduction or cloning, where an organism is split into fragments upon maturation and the spilted part becomes the new individual.

The organism may develop specific organs or zones to shed or be easily broken off. If the splitting occurs without the prior preparation of the organism, both fragments must be able to regenerate the complete organism for it to function as 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.