Acanthaster coral predator density in the Pulau Dua area, Aceh Selatan

Abstract

The crown of thorns starfish is one of the main threats to damage to coral reefs worldwide. Research on Acanthaster coral predator density in the Pulau Dua area, South Aceh district, has been carried out in March 2021, using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. The results showed that the density Acanthaster planci obtained 42 individuals/12.000m2 with natural criteria. Corals fractures can support the life of Acanthaster planci substrate conditions dominated by coral fractures. It can also grow thread algae (Coraline) and encrusting algae, which will then be eaten by Acanthaster planci which are still in the larval stage. This research concludes that the density of Acanthaster planci obtained is still in the natural category with coral reef conditions including good criteria.