Acanthaster Planci: Major Management Problem of Coral ReefsThe purpose of this book is to provide an organized compilation of information and techniques for all aspects of the biology and management of the Acanthaster planci species. This extraordinary coral predator has greater effects on coral reef communities than any other animal species. It can cause mortality of hard corals over large areas and have indirect effects that extend through the trophic levels of the reef community. This volume features A planci as an animal with a unique combination of morphological, physiological, and life history characteristics that contribute to its potential for major ecological impacts. It provides detailed techniques for disparate aspects of research and management (e.g., raising the animal through all life history stages, calculating growth curves, and treating victims of spinings). Chapters cover methods for surveys, tagging, and control of A. planci, in addition to an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The extensive subject index includes more than 1,000 references to A. planci and a BASIC program for estimating coral recovery after predation by the starfish. Acanthaster planci: Major Management Problem of Coral Reefs is an essential reference for all coral reef managers and researchers. |
Contents
Introduction | 5 |
Waves of Starfish and Interest | 9 |
Acanthaster in Time and Space | 13 |
Life History | 57 |
Ecological Interactions | 135 |
C | 144 |
Influences of Changes in Physiology on the Effectiveness | 159 |
Common terms and phrases
abactinal aboral abundance Acanthaster planci Acropora acroporids aggregations algal animals arms asteroids Barrier Reef behavior bipinnaria brachiolaria brevispinus cohort control programs coral colonies coral community coral cover coral feeding coral reefs coral tissue coral-reef community coralline algae crown-of-thorns starfish crustacean crustacean guards diameter disk distribution eastern Pacific echinoderms effects eggs ellisii Endean factors fecundity Figure Fiji fishes gametogenesis genetic gonads Guam habitat increase individuals juvenile starfish laboratory larvae living coral Lucas madreporites Marine months morphology mortality observed occur oocytes ossicles outbreak populations ovary pathogens pattern picta planci larvae planci outbreaks planci populations planktonic pocilloporids polyps population density predation primary outbreaks pyloric caeca range recruitment region relatively reported Ryukyus samples saponins seawater Section settlement sexual maturity shrimp skeletal elements spawning species specimens spines stomach studies suggested surface sediments survey survival Suva Barrier Reef symbionts temperature Townsville transplantation tube feet Yamaguchi Zann