Final answer:
Autotomy is the ability of some animals to shed a part of their body as a defense mechanism, enabling them to escape predators, and often they can regenerate the lost part. This is distinct from fragmentation, which can lead to the formation of new individuals. Sea stars and certain lizards are examples of animals that utilize autotomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Autotomy is the remarkable ability of some animals to shed a part of their body as a defensive strategy, and in many cases, regrow it. This biological phenomenon allows an organism to escape predators by sacrificing a part of itself that can later regenerate. This is different from fragmentation, which is a form of asexual reproduction where an organism breaks into parts, leading to the regeneration of new individuals if the broken parts are substantial enough. For instance, sea stars can regenerate a whole new individual from a lost arm and a piece of the central disc, which has considerable implications for efforts to control their populations in marine environments where they may be considered pests.
Another form of asexual reproduction is budding, where an outgrowth from the parent organism develops into a new individual. This should not be confused with autotomy, as budding is primarily a reproductive process rather than a defensive action. Animals capable of autotomy include certain lizards that can detach their tails, and sea cucumbers that can expel parts of their internal organs when threatened, only to regenerate these parts later.
The phenomenon of autotomy is a captivating subject within the study of animal biology and ecology, illustrating the remarkable strategies creatures have evolved to survive in their environments.