Reproduction asexuée chez Phoronis psammophila

Reproduction by transverse fission in Phoronis psammophila Cori occurs in the muscular region of the trunk and divides the animal in two. The posterior fragment regenerates an anterior end, as described by Emig (1972), but completion of the first stages requires longer. The regenerating oesophagus fuses with the epidermis, and the mouth originates by intraepithelial invagination followed by epidermal invagination. The anterior fragment regenerates an ampulla (posterior end) principally by morphallaxis. Organogenesis concerns only the stomach and stomachal blood-sinus. The regenerating stomach (endodermal) and oesophagus (ectodermal) are obtained by differentiation of the prestomacal cells. Asexual reproduction in P. psammophila is a means of rapid numerical increase in the population.