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strobilation

Strobilation is a developmental process in certain multicellular organisms in which an elongated body is produced by successive transverse segmentations, yielding a chain of repeating units. The term derives from Greek and is used in both cnidarian and flatworm biology, though the specific meaning differs among groups.

In cnidarians, strobilation refers to a form of asexual reproduction during which a polyp undergoes transverse

In flatworms of the class Cestoda (tapeworms), strobilation denotes the production and growth of a strobila,

Overall, strobilation represents a form of segmental growth that enables rapid production of multiple offspring units

constrictions
to
form
a
series
of
disk-like
segments
called
a
strobila.
The
segments
are
typically
arranged
along
the
length
of
the
polyp
and,
as
they
mature,
each
segment
develops
into
a
free-swimming
juvenile
medusa
(an
ephyra)
that
detaches
to
form
part
of
the
medusa
life
stage.
This
process
is
common
in
certain
hydrozoans
and
scyphozoans
and
is
influenced
by
environmental
cues
such
as
temperature,
food
availability,
and
photoperiod,
as
well
as
intrinsic
developmental
regulation.
a
chain
of
proglottids
that
forms
behind
the
scolex
(the
head).
Each
proglottid
contains
complete
reproductive
systems
and
matures
as
it
moves
toward
the
posterior
end
of
the
chain.
Gravid
proglottids,
packed
with
eggs,
detach
from
the
end
of
the
strobila
and
exit
the
host
to
continue
the
parasite’s
life
cycle.
Strobilation
in
cestodes
is
a
key
mechanism
for
generation
and
dispersal
of
reproductive
units
within
the
host
and
into
the
external
environment.
and
plays
a
central
role
in
the
life
cycles
of
diverse
aquatic
and
parasitic
organisms.