Association of low-frequency currents and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks

Black, Kerry P.; Moran, Peter; Burrage, Derek; De’ath, Glenn

doi:10.3354/meps125185

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Improvements in hydrodynamic models, combined with advances in computational power and new methods for analyzing patterns of particle dispersal, are providing increasingly resolved and tractable models to inform patterns of initiation and spread for CoTS outbreaks [58,82,93,95,96]. However, these models are potentially very sensitive to the precise timing of spawning and the relevant speed and direction of currents, and predictions arising from these models need explicit testing based on extensive spatial and temporal sampling to resolve the occurrence and timing of outbreaks.…”

Section: Question 2 (Larvae Andmentioning

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 2 (Larvae Andmentioning

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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“…Despite having dispersive larvae, self‐recruitment (i.e., recruitment by larvae returning to the population from which they were produced) may still be important in marine systems (Black et al 1991, Boehlert et al 1992, Black 1993, Cowen and Castro 1994, Petersen and Svane 1995). For instance, even though crown‐of‐thorns starfish ( Acanthaster planci ) have larvae which are planktonic for ≈10 d, self‐recruitment has been implicated in outbreaks of this species along the Great Barrier Reef (Black et al 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Potential Mechanism for Episodic Recruitment of a Coral Reef Fish

Danilowicz

1997

Ecology

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Most marine animals have complex life histories with dispersive larvae. Recruitment to marine populations should then result from larval production external to each population (i.e., an open population). However, it has been suggested that self‐recruitment to these populations may also be important (i.e., a closed system). The contribution of these two sources of larval supply to recruitment were explored using the Hawaiian domino damselfish, Dascyllus albisella. Spawning and recruitment were monitored daily and weekly in the southeast section of Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, during 1992. Daily increment formation in the otoliths of this species was validated, and the spawning dates of arriving recruits were back‐calculated using otolith rings. Since this section of Kaneohe Bay is sheltered, with a water exchange rate of only 26% per day, I predicted larvae would be retained (passively and behaviorally) after hatching; therefore recruitment from locally spawned larvae would be important. Contrary to my prediction, no self‐recruitment was evident. Spawning times and back‐calculated production of recruits did not overlap on a daily or seasonal basis. During the first half of the year, recruitment pulses were large and associated with rises in water temperature. During the latter half of the year, recruitment rates were lower and recruitment events were not associated with water temperature. Given the apparent absence of self‐recruitment and the seasonal pattern of oceanographic currents in the Hawaiian Islands, recruitment episodes in the first half of the year may have originated from distinct reproductive episodes at upcurrent islands. Recruitment episodes in the latter half of the year may have resulted from a general increase in D. albisella spawning external to Kaneohe Bay.

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“…We ironically purport that high recovery and predator starfish abundance at the southern tip of Yap (site 16) may be a consequence of the same local hydrodynamic process. Circulation eddies are known to form in the lee of exposed islands and have been documented to benefit recruitment and settlement (Black et al 1995;Mace and Morgan 2006;Burgess et al 2007). Thus, the high recovery noted here may be aided by the favorable oceanographic and physical setting that exists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and evaluation of coral reefs around Yap Proper, Federated States of Micronesia

Houk

Benavente²,

Fread³

2012

Biodivers Conserv

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This study addresses the coupled themes of science and conservation by characterizing and evaluating the coral reefs around Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. Reef types, and the inherent environmental regimes they constitute, were found to be good predictors of distinct modern assemblages, with minimally overlapping species occurrences. Corals from inner and channel reefs were twice as large and assemblages were half as diverse compared with outer reefs, while food-fish were both larger and more diverse on outer and channel reefs compared with inner. While distinctions were predictable, the magnitude of ecological change along a gradient of inner, channel, to outer reefs was higher than expected, suggesting that human influences are quantifiable. Therefore, an evaluation process was conducted to determine the spatial trends in reef 'condition', defined within by ecological metrics. 'Condition' was highest for reefs associated with a priori defined high conservation value for varying reasons: successful fisheries management, critical habitat determination, and high resiliency potential. Regression analyses highlighted that a two-variable model which interactively incorporated proxies to fishing and pollution, as well as a proxy for hydrodynamic flushing potential, explained 40 % of the variance in 'condition'. Collectively, the results are used to evaluate the current status of reef assemblages, and to point out future conservation priorities.

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Association of low-frequency currents and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks

Cited by 22 publications

References 22 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

A Potential Mechanism for Episodic Recruitment of a Coral Reef Fish

Characterization and evaluation of coral reefs around Yap Proper, Federated States of Micronesia

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