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Impacts of a population outbreak of the urchin Tripneustes gratilla amongst Lord Howe Island coral communities

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Abstract

Subtidal reef surveys within the Lord Howe Island Marine Park revealed that populations of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla underwent an explosive outbreak in some regions of the park over a 2-year period. This urchin was rare or absent during 2006 surveys at 33 sites studied, but at sites off northern Lord Howe Island in 2008, densities averaged >1.3 m−2. Dramatic increases in T. gratilla density (exceeding 4 m−2) were observed at some sites. We quantify community-level impacts of T. gratilla using ‘before-after’ and ‘control-impact’ data. Zones closed to fishing exhibited similar increases in T. gratilla density to zones open to fishing. Although not previously reported as a keystone species affecting coral habitat, T. gratilla was found to possess an ‘ecosystem engineer’ function. Outbreak sites were characterised by significant declines in cover of foliose algae, including red algae, which decreased from 11.2% in 2006 compared to 2.5% in 2008. Brown foliose algae also declined at sites where T. gratilla outbreaks occurred, averaging 20.4% in 2006 compared to 1.8% in 2008. By contrast, crustose coralline algal cover increased at sites where high T. gratilla densities were observed, from 2.7% in 2006 to an average of 42.6% in 2008. We found no clear indication of impacts on sessile invertebrates or flow-on effects to other levels of the food web, with no significant change in coral cover or densities of mobile invertebrates or fish populations associated with the T. gratilla outbreak.

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Acknowledgments

This study would not have been possible without the logistic support and boating assistance of Ian Kerr and Geoff Kelly of the New South Wales Marine Park Authority at Lord Howe Island. Particular thanks to Sallyann Gudge of the Marine Park Authority who was an integral and enthusiastic member of the 2008 dive team, and whose persistence ensured the surveys were completed at all sites. Funding for this work was provided by the NSW Marine Parks Authority. The assistance and support of Tas Douglass (Pro-Dive Lord Howe Island) and Brian Busteed (Howea divers), who provided valuable local knowledge to assist survey operations, is also greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquenal Pty Ltd, 244, Summerleas Road, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia

    J. P. Valentine & G. J. Edgar

  2. Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252-49, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    G. J. Edgar

Authors
  1. J. P. Valentine
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  2. G. J. Edgar
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Correspondence to J. P. Valentine.

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Communicated by Dr. Andrew Baird

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Valentine, J.P., Edgar, G.J. Impacts of a population outbreak of the urchin Tripneustes gratilla amongst Lord Howe Island coral communities. Coral Reefs 29, 399–410 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0610-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0610-9

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