Florida vs. Yuma reproduction question.

[ScooobaSteve]

I've seen my floridas split multiple time but always the same way -- new mouth forms and then they fold in and split almost exactly in half. My one Yuma on the other hand seems to shed little babies that start as just a bit of "foot" and then later form the mouth and body. I wouldn't expect such a difference between the two but figured I'd ask.

 

Lower left you can sorta make out the baby (maybe bottom right - iPhone is doing a weird rotation thing to my photos...):

 

This was part of the foot from the same ric that extended down through a hole in the rock. Over time I watched it split off and still just looked like a little bit of "footy flesh". Now it's obviously taking on the standard ric parts:

[amphipod]

Different polyps can have immensely different ways of reproduction. Sometimes the methods also help with their environment, out compete others, not become extinct from predators. Its very good that your curious. As you've probably noticed the pedal lacerators are far more abundant in your tank, its a faster growing and possibly more resilient polyp.

[Nano sapiens]

Yes, this is one of the common differences between the two Ric species. However, Yumas can have two mouths and split and Floridas can leave tissue behind, but it's not as common.