[darkseas]

Corals are an example of animals that can do both. They reproduce asexually through fission, which keeps clones in local similar conditions where they can thrive.

While sexual reproduction occurs through spawning, where genetically diverse offspring travel far and wide on currents to possibly different habitats and niches.

The idea here is that asexual reproduction is a benefit to the species during relatively stable conditions, while sexual reproduction works best to populate new areas or recover from population disasters.

[cossatot]

It'd be really interesting to get to see this happen on a wide scale sometime soon. It'd be better not to have to, as well...