Marine invertebrates generally have two methods of reproduction, sexual and asexual. Some marine invertebrates use one or the other and others make use of both. Some are hermaphroditic, meaning that they have both male and female sex organs, and some are strictly male or female. Those that mate sexually may have separate sexes or may be hermaphroditic and can simply deposit sperm into any other individual of that species. Asexual reproduction happens via budding or regeneration, when an exact copy of the parent is created and then grows as an individual entity. Most marine invertebrates lay eggs, whether they are fertilized inside or outside of the body. Some eggs hatch larvae and others hatch miniature versions of the adult.
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How do marine invertebrates reproduce?
- Marine Life
- Marine Invertebrates