Selective coral mortality associated with outbreaks of L. in Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea

M.S. Pratchett (1) , T.J. Schenk (1, 2, 3) , M. Baine (4) , C. Syms (2) , A.H. Baird (1)

1 and Tropical Biology James Cook University of North Queensland
2 School of Marine and Tropical Biology James Cook University of North Queensland
3 HCTLab - Human Computer Technology Laboratory
4 University of Papua New Guinea

Population outbreaks of crown-of-thorns sea star ( L.) remain one of the most significant biological disturbances on tropical coral reefs although the increasing attention given to other threats has greatly limited recent progress in understanding the cause and consequences of these phenomenon . In September 2005 dramatic increases in the abundance of were observed on reefs within Bootless Bay, Central Province, Papua New Guinea, where few crown-of-thorns have previously been reported. Densities of peaked at 162 sea stars per hectare and caused extensive coral mortality. This outbreak killed upwards of 55% of live corals, reducing overall coral cover from 42.4% in 2005 down to just 19.1% in March 2006. Declines in coral cover were largely driven by widespread mortality of spp. which dominated reef assemblages prior to the outbreak. The extensive depletion of spp. greatly altered the coral composition as well as the physical structure of reef habitats. In the absence of any other major disturbances these coral communities are likely to quickly recover, but this outbreak highlights the ongoing contribution of to degradation of coral reef environments.

Mots clés: Coral reefs; Crown-of-thorns; Disturbance; Effects-Population; Predation; Scleractinian corals

M.S. Pratchett, T.J. Schenk, M. Baine, C. Syms, A.H. Baird. Selective coral mortality associated with outbreaks of L. in Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea. Marine Environmental Research, 2009, 67 (4-5), pp.230. ⟨10.1016/j.marenvres.2009.03.001⟩. ⟨hal-00563072⟩