Abstract
Ecological surveys involving over 500 man-days between 1966 and 1969 indicate that the coral-eating sea star, Acanthaster planci, is a normal component of the coral reef community throughout the tropical Pacific, and that its abundance in the past has probably been underestimated. The sea star is not uncommon in certain environments, particularly back-reef and lagoon slopes. Sheltered, inner reefs are generally preferred over less protected reefs. Recently reported “population explosions” of A. planci at Guam and on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia appear to be isolated, widely-separated, local infestations of unknown cause. The infestation on the Great Barrier Reef has not spread beyond the area off Cairns and Innisfail. Approximately 40 of the more than 1000 reefs comprising the Great Barrier Reef complex have been infested heavily.
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Communicated by G. L. Voss, Miami
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Weber, J.N., woodhead, P.M.J. Ecological studies of the coral predator Acanthaster planci in the south pacific. Marine Biology 6, 12–17 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00352602
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00352602