Abstract
Algae started colonizing branches of the coral Acropora aspera (Dana) killed by the sea star Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus) within less than 24 hours. Two blue-greens ((Microcoleus lyngbyaceus (Crouan) Ag. and Hormothamnion solutum B. & F.)) dominated the early community but became less abundant than a brown ((Giffordia indica (Sonder) Papenfuss & Chihara)) after 26 days.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chesher, R. H. - 1969 - Destruction of pacific corals by the sea star Acanthaster planci. Science 165: 280–283.
Odum, H. T. & Odum, E. P. - 1955 - Trophic structure and productivity of a windward coral reef community. Ecol. Monogr. 25: 291–320.
Tracey, J. I., Jr., Schlanger, S. O., Stark, J. T., Dean, D. B. & May, H. G. - 1964 - General geology of Guam. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 403A: 1–104.
Tsuda, R. T., Larson, H. K. & Lujan, R. J. - 1972 - Algal growth on beaks of parrotfishes. Pac. Sci. 26: 20–23.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Belk, M.S., Belk, D. Observation of algal colonization on Acropora aspera killed by Acanthaster planci. Hydrobiologia 46, 29–32 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00038724
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00038724