An integrative approach to the taxonomy of the crown-of-thorns starfish species group (Asteroidea: Acanthaster): A review of names and comparison to recent molecular data

Haszprunar, Gerhard; Spies, Martín

doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3841.2.6

Cited by 48 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…from throughout the Indo-Pacific ostensibly look and behave the same way, but devastating impacts of crown-of-thorns starfish appear to be confined to the Pacific, which is the geographical range of A. cf. solaris [39,243]. This warrants explicit comparisons of reproductive and larval ecology, demographic rates, feeding rates and feeding preferences among Acanthaster spp.…”

Section: Question 4 (Overarching)-why Some [Cots] Outbreaks Cause Extmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities

et al. 2017

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Abstract:Research on the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) has waxed and waned over the last few decades, mostly in response to population outbreaks at specific locations. This review considers advances in our understanding of the biology and ecology of CoTS based on the resurgence of research interest, which culminated in this current special issue on the Biology, Ecology and Management of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. More specifically, this review considers progress in addressing 41 specific research questions posed in a seminal review by P. Moran 30 years ago, as well as exploring new directions for CoTS research. Despite the plethora of research on CoTS (>1200 research articles), there are persistent knowledge gaps that constrain effective management of outbreaks. Although directly addressing some of these questions will be extremely difficult, there have been considerable advances in understanding the biology of CoTS, if not the proximate and ultimate cause(s) of outbreaks. Moving forward, researchers need to embrace new technologies and opportunities to advance our understanding of CoTS biology and behavior, focusing on key questions that will improve effectiveness of management in reducing the frequency and likelihood of outbreaks, if not preventing them altogether.

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Section: Question 4 (Overarching)-why Some [Cots] Outbreaks Cause Extmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities

et al. 2017

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“…solaris [21] were collected from the GBR near Cairns, Australia (16 • 55 S, 145 • 46 E) by control divers employed by the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) and air freighted to the National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University at Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia. Eggs from three female starfish were collected, pooled and fertilized using sperm from three males, following Kamya et al [22].…”

Section: Larval Culture and Settlement Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Larval Survivorship and Settlement of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) at Varying Algal Cell Densities

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The dispersal potential of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) larvae is important in understanding both the initiation and spread of population outbreaks, and is fundamentally dependent upon how long larvae can persist while still retaining the capacity to settle. This study quantified variation in larval survivorship and settlement rates for CoTS maintained at three different densities of a single-celled flagellate phytoplankton, Proteomonas sulcata (1 × 10 3 , 1 × 10 4 , and 1 × 10 5 cells/mL). Based on the larval starvation hypothesis, we expected that low to moderate levels of phytoplankton prey would significantly constrain both survival and settlement. CoTS larvae were successfully maintained for up to 50 days post-fertilization, but larval survival differed significantly between treatments. Survival was greatest at intermediate food levels (1 × 10 4 cells/mL), and lowest at high (1 × 10 5 cells/mL) food levels. Rates of settlement were also highest at intermediate food levels and peaked at 22 days post-fertilization. Peak settlement was delayed at low food levels, probably reflective of delayed development, but there was no evidence of accelerated development at high chlorophyll concentrations. CoTS larvae were recorded to settle 17-43 days post-fertilization, but under optimum conditions with intermediate algal cell densities, peak settlement occurred at 22 days post-fertilization. Natural fluctuations in nutrient concentrations and food availability may affect the number of CoTS that effectively settle, but seem unlikely to influence dispersal dynamics.

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“…solaris [27] on Australia's GBR. One hundred and eleven sites on 64 reefs within six geographic locations (or reef complexes) located between 14.72 • S and 17.67 • S were sampled between 7 May and 15 December 2015 (Figure 1).…”

Section: Field Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Growth of Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on the Northern Great Barrier Reef

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The corallivorous crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster spp.) is a major cause of coral mortality on Indo-Pacific reefs. Despite considerable research into the biology of crown-of-thorns starfish, our understanding of the early post-settlement life stage has been hindered by the small size and cryptic nature of recently settled individuals. Most growth rates are derived from either laboratory studies or field studies conducted in Fiji and Japan. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is currently experiencing its fourth recorded outbreak and population models to inform the progression of outbreaks lack critical growth rates of early life history stages. High numbers of 0+ year juveniles (n = 3532) were measured during extensive surveys of 64 reefs on the northern GBR between May and December 2015. An exponential growth model was fitted to the size measurement data to estimate monthly ranges of growth rates for 0+ year juveniles. Estimated growth rates varied considerably and increased with age (e.g., 0.028-0.041 mm·day −1 for one-month-old juveniles versus 0.108-0.216 mm·day −1 for twelve-month-old juveniles). This pioneering study of 0+ year juveniles on the GBR will inform population models and form the basis for more rigorous ongoing research to understand the fate of newly settled Acanthaster spp.

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An integrative approach to the taxonomy of the crown-of-thorns starfish species group (Asteroidea: Acanthaster): A review of names and comparison to recent molecular data

Cited by 48 publications

References 24 publications

Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities

Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities

Larval Survivorship and Settlement of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) at Varying Algal Cell Densities

Modelling Growth of Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on the Northern Great Barrier Reef

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