Superstars: assessing nutrient thresholds for enhanced larval success of Acanthaster planci, a review of the evidence
Crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci (COTS), predation is a major cause of coral reef decline, but the factors behind their population outbreaks remain unclear. Increased phytoplankton food resulting from eutrophication is suggested to enhance larval survival. We addressed the hypothesis that larval success is associated with particular chl-a levels in tightly controlled larval:algal conditions. We used chl-a conditions found on coral reefs (0.1–5.0 μg chl-a L− 1), including nominal threshold levels for disproportionate larval success (≥ 1.0 μg chl-a L− 1). High success to the juvenile occurred across an order of magnitude of chl-a concentrations (0.5–5.0 μg chl-a L− 1), suggesting there may not be a narrow value for optimal success. Oligotrophic conditions (0.1 μg chl-a L− 1) appeared to be a critical limit. With a review of the evidence, we suggest that opportunistic COTS larvae may be more resilient to low food levels than previously appreciated. Initiation of outbreak populations need not require eutrophic conditions.
History
Publication title
Marine Pollution BulletinVolume
116Issue
1-2Pagination
307-314ISSN
0025-326XDepartment/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Pergamon-Elsevier Science LtdPlace of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Ox5 1GbRights statement
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd.Repository Status
- Restricted