Crown of thorns (Acanthaster planci) plagues: the natural causes theory

Vine, Peter

doi:10.5479/si.00775630.166.1

Cited by 40 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…were documented in the late 1960s [2,11], it was immediately assumed by many scientists that these were new and unprecedented phenomena, such that scientists were compelled to link the sudden occurrence of outbreaks to sustained and ongoing degradation of coastal environments, due to coastal development [2], land-based run-off of nutrients and pollutants [221], and/or exploitation of marine species [222]. Several scientists (e.g., [137,[223][224][225]) did argue that outbreaks of Acanthaster spp. were probably a natural phenomenon that had occurred across the Indo-Pacific well before the 1960s.…”

Section: Question 1 (Overarching)-why [Cots] Outbreaks Occur and Whetmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there are no rigorous quantitative estimates of CoTS densities prior to the 1960s, historical accounts, mostly from anecdotal information, support the view that outbreaks have occurred in the past [223,224,226]. In particular, there is information suggesting that CoTS were unusually common at certain locations in the 1940s [113], though some of these reports may refer to normal spawning aggregations of CoTS [227], rather than actual outbreaks.…”

Section: Question 1 (Overarching)-why [Cots] Outbreaks Occur and Whetmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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 1 (Overarching)-why [Cots] Outbreaks Occur and Whetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Question 1 (Overarching)-why [Cots] Outbreaks Occur and Whetmentioning

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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“…Two of the initial hypotheses, i.e., overfishing of triton shells as main predators (Endean 1977) and the ''natural phenomenon'' hypothesis (Vine 1973) are considered unconfirmed. Birkeland (1982) proposed that increased nutrient runoff leads to increased food (phytoplankton) availability for A. planci larvae.…”

Section: Population Density Fluctuations: the Acanthaster-asterias Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A boom–bust phylum? Ecological and evolutionary consequences of density variations in echinoderms

Uthicke

Schaffelke

Byrne

2009

Ecological Monographs

375

245

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Abstract. Echinoderms play a key role in structuring many marine ecosystems and are notorious for large population density variations in so-called ''outbreak'' or ''dieoff'' events. In a review of this phenomenon, we assess the causal factors and ecological and evolutionary consequences. We identified 28 species (6 Asteroidea, 8 Echinoidea, 10 Holothuroidea, 4 Ophiuroidea) that exhibit large (more than two population doublings or halvings) population density changes. Three generalized patterns were identified and named for exemplary species:(1) rapid decreases followed by no or slow recovery (Diadema-Paracentrotus Model), (2), rapid increase and apparent stability at a new population density (Amperima-Amphiura Model), and (3) population density fluctuations (Acanthaster-Asterias Model). Echinoderms identified were distributed from the shallow intertidal to the deep sea, and from tropical to temperate regions. In most cases, significant impacts on the respective ecosystems were observed. The most striking similarity among all species identified was possession of the ancestral-type planktotrophic larva. This larval type was significantly overrepresented in species identified within the Asteroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea, and for the combined data set. We suggest three main factors that render a life history with planktotrophic larvae a high-risk-high-gain strategy: (1) a strong nonlinear dependency of larval production on adult densities (Allee effects), (2) a low potential for compensatory feedback mechanisms, and (3) an uncoupling of larval and adult ecology. The alternative (derived) lecithotrophic larva occurs in 68% of recent echinoderm species, suggesting an evolutionary trend toward this larval type. Lecithotrophic development represents a more buffered life history because compensatory feedback between adult densities and larval output is likely to be more efficient. For lecithotrophic developers, direct nutritive coupling from adult to larva to the early benthic juvenile provides a buffer against starvation. Lecithotrophic larvae are independent of the vagaries of planktonic food supply, and their short planktonic duration may promote local recruitment. Anthropogenic influences contributed to the population density variations in most cases, including increased primary productivity through eutrophication or global change, disease, overfishing, and species introductions. We suggest that anthropogenic disturbance, through its influence on the frequency and/or amplitude of echinoderm population density changes, may go beyond present ecosystem impacts and alter future evolutionary trends.

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“…Outbreaks of CoTS on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) were first documented in 1962 [14], though there are earlier reports of high densities of starfish (which may or may not have constituted an "outbreak") on the GBR e.g., [15,16]. Since 1962, there have been three additional outbreak episodes on the GBR, starting in 1979, 1993 and 2009.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microsatellites Reveal Genetic Homogeneity among Outbreak Populations of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

et al. 2017

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Specific patterns in the initiation and spread of reef-wide outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish are important, both to understand potential causes (or triggers) of outbreaks and to develop more effective and highly targeted management and containment responses. Using analyses of genetic diversity and structure (based on 17 microsatellite loci), this study attempted to resolve the specific origin for recent outbreaks of crown-of-thorns on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We assessed the genetic structure amongst 2705 starfish collected from 13 coral reefs in four regions that spanned~1000 km of the GBR. Our results indicate that populations sampled across the full length of the GBR are genetically homogeneous (G' ST = −0.001; p = 0.948) with no apparent genetic structure between regions. Approximate Bayesian computational analyses suggest that all sampled populations had a common origin and that current outbreaking populations of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) in the Swains are not independent of outbreak populations in the northern GBR. Despite hierarchical sampling and large numbers of CoTS genotyped from individual reefs and regions, limited genetic structure meant we were unable to determine a putative source population for the current outbreak of CoTS on the GBR. The very high genetic homogeneity of sampled populations and limited evidence of inbreeding indicate rapid expansion in population size from multiple, undifferentiated latent populations.

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Crown of thorns (Acanthaster planci) plagues: the natural causes theory

Cited by 40 publications

References 7 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 boom–bust phylum? Ecological and evolutionary consequences of density variations in echinoderms

Microsatellites Reveal Genetic Homogeneity among Outbreak Populations of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

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