Cnidarian Reproduction

Moon Jelly ephyrae:

These are clones of the adult polp. They will grow to be either a male or female and look like the same bell shaped moon jellies.
Reproduction of a Polyp

Reproduction of a Polyp

Most polyps reproduce asexually by cloning themselves. The addition of new polyps makes a colony that stabilizes itself to the limestone skeletons of old polyps, producing the foundation of the reef. This type of reproduction is important because when cnidarians such as corals endure storm surges or hurricanes,they have the incredible ability to grow from broken-off pieces of the original colony. Polyps asexually reproduce by budding. Budding occurs when a part of the parent polyp goes off to form a new individual. Budding helps the polyp to copy itself several times and at the same time have the same tissue structures like the other polps. Later, the same polyp can produce sexually.

Reproduction of a Medusa

Reproduction of a Medusa

The medusae's reproduce sexually. The polyp by budding also makes a medusae, which either detach themselves and swim away or stay forever attached to the polyp. The medusae then produce new polyps by sexual reproduction. A medusa produces eggs or sperm, which are usually put into the water; when an egg is fertilized, it develops into a swimming larva, which eventually settles and grows into a polyp.