52 SEPTEMBER 2024 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG FIGURE 1. An anemone bifurcated into two equal halves with nylon fishing line. rarely in the wild or in captivity, where environmental factors or physical damage can trigger the detachment of a portion from the anemone which then regenerates into a new individual (Marudhupandi et al. 2023). In a pioneering effort to achieve asexual propagation, researchers at the ICAR - NBFGR Germplasm Resource Centre on Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, conducted an experiment focusing on bifurcation in captivity. The study, centered on the sea anemone Radianthus magnifica, aimed to explore the feasibility of generating genetically identical offspring under controlled conditions. Ten R. magnifica were collected from the wild, conditioned, and subjected to surgical binary fission. Using both sterilized surgical blades (5 individuals) and nylon fishing line (5 individuals), each anemone was longitudinally censored or tangled into two equal halves, respectively (Figures 1 and 2). Following this delicate procedure, the anemones were treated with iodine-based antiseptic solution and transferred to separate designated tanks, for rearing under proper lighting and aeration, with attentive care throughout the experimental period. The observations on survival and development 7 days after surgery and over the course of three months indicated that the tangled anemones parted into two exhibited significant progress with each one developing a complete mouth (Figures 3 and 4). Interestingly, Sea anemones, renowned for their mesmerizing display of vibrant colors and elegant movements, aren’t merely occupants of the ocean, playing indispensable roles in marine ecosystems. These enigmatic creatures, adorned with stinging tentacles, contribute to the biodiversity of coral reefs, making them a subject of fascination for scientists and aquarium enthusiasts alike. Anemones belong to the class Anthozoa, characterized by their cylindrical bodies topped with a ring of tentacles adorned with stinging cells. The increasing demand for these captivating creatures has led to concerns about overexploitation from their natural habitats, necessitating sustainable alternatives for their propagation. Sea anemones employ both sexual and asexual reproductive strategies to perpetuate their descendants. Sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes into the water, where fertilization occurs, leading to the development of heterogenetic larvae. J.M. Shick (1991) shed light on the duration and dynamics of sexual propagation in sea anemones, providing valuable insights into their reproductive biology. They possess a remarkable ability to reproduce asexually, a process known as fragmentation. Unlike sexual reproduction, which involves the fertilization of gametes from two different individuals, asexual reproduction allows sea anemones to reproduce genetically identical clone progenies from a single parent, like vegetative propagation. This process occurs Captive Propagation Through Bifurcation: Sea anemones, A Model for Bridging Trade and Conservation Needs Sheena Jose, T.T. Ajith Kumar and Kuldeep K. Lal FIGURE 2. Following bifurcation the resultant half-anemones were treated with iodine-based antiseptic solution and transferred to recovery tanks. Sea anemones, renowned for their mesmerizing display of vibrant colors and elegant movements, aren't merely occupants of the ocean, playing indispensable roles in marine ecosystems. These enigmatic creatures, adorned with stinging tentacles, contribute to the biodiversity of coral reefs, making them a subject of fascination for scientists and aquarium enthusiasts alike.
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