First observation of pedal laceration in the octocoral Sarcophyton sp.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cnidarians exhibit various patterns of asexual reproduction. Pedal lacerations have been reported in corallimorpharians and sea anemones. Here, I report the occurrence of pedal lacerations in two colonies of octocoral Sarcophyton spp. (Order Alcyonacea). The lacerated conical pedal tissue gradually regenerated new buds in both the colonies. Two possible causes of pedal lacerations were considered. First, both the colonies may have moved to elevated positions to access light for photosynthesis. Second, both colonies were unstable owing to the movement of the rubble by the current pump and moved to a stable place.