Crown-of-thorns starfish

Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) are marine invertebrates that feed on coral and occur naturally on reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. When conditions are right for COTS to multiply, they can reach plague proportions and devastate the hard coral population on affected reefs.

AIMS has implemented the most comprehensive COTS monitoring program in the world across the GBR. This long-term program, combined with genetic studies, has shown that COTS outbreaks begin in the north and migrate southward on ocean currents over a 15 year period. These surveys also show that healthy reefs generally fully recover between outbreaks, taking 10-20 years to do so. Reefs affected by additional stresses, such as coral bleaching, cyclones or poor water quality, may take a lot longer.

In the laboratory, AIMS' experimental research has shown that COTS larval survival increases dramatically as phytoplankton, their food source, becomes more abundant. Although land runoff rich in fertilisers and other pollutants can cause peaks in phytoplankton, scientists are still unsure whether there is a link between human activity and COTS outbreaks, given that the biggest increases in phytoplankton production follow natural events such as cyclones and high rainfall.

Related links:
The AIMS Long Term Monitoring Program COTS surveys  
 

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November 7, 2007