Fragmentation (biology)

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There is a separate article about habitat fragmentation.

Fragmentation or Clonal Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction where an organism is split into fragments. The splitting may or may not be intentional. Each of these fragments develop into mature, fully grown individuals that are a clone of the original organism. If the organism is split any further the process is repeated.

Fragmentation is seen in organisms such as molds, some annelid worms, and starfish.

Molds, yeast, and mushrooms, all of which are part of the Fungi kingdom, produce tiny filaments called hyphae. These hyphae obtain food and nutrients from the body of other organisms to grow and fertilize. Then a piece of hyphae breaks off and grows into a new individual and the cycle continues.

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