Reproduction in British zoanthids, and an unusual process in Parazoanthus anguicomus

Specimens of three zoanthid species, Epizoanthus couchii, Parazoanthus angu icomus and P. axinellae were sectioned. All were gonochoric, with gametes d eveloping during summer. Oocytes in P. anguicomus originate in a single-lay ered ribbon down the perfect septa, but the ribbon becomes moniliform as, a t regular intervals, it folds laterally into lens-shaped nodes, packed with oocytes, doubling polyp fecundity.