 Nematostella vectensis is a burrowing sea anemone that can reproduce both sexually and asexually. When placed in a burrowing substrate, it has been observed to divide its body into two separate parts through a process called transverse fission. This process is driven by the presence of the burrowing substrate, as well as the size of the animal. Additionally, the plane of division is fixed along the aural or boreal axis of the polyp. Transverse fission is also influenced by homeobox transcription factors and components of the TGF, notch, and FGF signaling pathways. Furthermore, the rate of asexual reproduction is sensitive to population density. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms behind asexual reproduction in this species and have implications for understanding the reproductive and regenerative biology of other cnidarian species. This article was authored by Leila Ulshaya, Whitney Leach, Norba Ban, and others.