ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN THE PELAGIC PHASE OF CLYTIA-MCCRADYI (HYDROZOA, LEPTOMEDUSAE)

A detailed study of the asexual reproduction of Clytia maccradyi has b een done with two main objectives: 1) to determine the origin and budd ing modes of the blastostyles, 2) to try to induce gametogenesis in or der to obtain, the polyp stage by culturing medusae at different tempe ratures (13, 18 and 21 degrees C). Clytia hemisphaerica medusae were c ultured at the same temperatures to verify if an increase of temperatu re could induce the passage of a sexual reproduction to an asexual rep roduction. In contrary to previous opinions, we thing that especimens asexually produced does not differentiate gonads. All the specimens re leased were asexual medusae reproduced by asexual multiplication. A bl astostyle budding zone developed in place of gonads on the normal gona d zones. Neither spermatogonia nor ovogonia were observed at the radia l canals of individuals produced asexually.