Selective coral mortality associated with outbreaks of Acanthaster planci L. in Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea |
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| Authors: | MS Pratchett TJ Schenk M Baine C Syms AH Baird |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia;2. Division of Ecology & Evolution, Research School of Biology, Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;3. Division of Ocean & Climate Geosciences, Research School of Biology, Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;1. Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, JCU, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;2. Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, QLD 4810, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Population outbreaks of crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci L.) remain one of the most significant biological disturbances on tropical coral reefs although the increasing attention given to other threats has greatly limited recent progress in understanding the cause and consequences of this phenomenon. In September 2005 dramatic increases in the abundance of A. planci were observed on reefs within Bootless Bay, Central Province, Papua New Guinea, where few crown-of-thorns have previously been reported. Densities of A. planci peaked at 162 sea stars per hectare and caused extensive coral mortality. This outbreak killed upwards of 55% of live corals, reducing overall coral cover from 42.4% in 2005 down to just 19.1% in March 2006. Declines in coral cover were largely driven by widespread mortality of Acropora spp. which dominated reef assemblages prior to the outbreak. The extensive depletion of Acropora spp. greatly altered the coral composition as well as the physical structure of reef habitats. In the absence of any other major disturbances these coral communities are likely to quickly recover, but this outbreak highlights the ongoing contribution of A. planci to degradation of coral reef environments. |
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| Keywords: | Coral reefs Crown-of-thorns Disturbance Effects-population Predation Scleractinian corals |
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