1. Acanthaster planci Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

2. Acanthaster planci Biological Classification Domain: Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Genus: Species: Eukaryota Animalia Echinodermata Asteroidea (sea stars) Valvatida Acanthasteridae Acanthaster (2 species) Acanthaster planci

3. Echinodermata Characteristics: Bilateral symmetry as larvae Pentaradial symmetry as adults Spiny/bumpy endoskeleton Water vascular system Tube feet

4. Acanthaster planci Asteroidea Characteristics: up to 50 arms tube feet protrude from the oral surface Multi-directional movement endoskeleton made up of calcium carbonate plates Pedicellariae

5. Acanthaster planci Crown-of-Thorns Flattened sea star Large central disk 7-23 arms Elongated spines Multi-colors

6. Acanthaster planci Crown-of-Thorns

7. Acanthaster planci Anatomy In the aboral surface: - anus - madreporite(s) In the arms : - ambulacral grooves - spines - podium (feet) - digestive glands

8. Acanthaster planci Distribution & Habitat

9. Acanthaster planci Reproduction Sexual reproduction A female can release up to 60 million eggs in one season No asexual reproduction

10. Acanthaster planci Regeneration

11. Life Cycle

12. Acanthaster planci Life Cycle

17. Acanthaster planci Predators

18. Acanthaster planci Predators

19. Acanthaster planci The Great Barrier Reef

20. Acanthaster planci The Great Barrier Reef

21. Acanthaster planci World Heritage Criteria being an outstanding example representing significant ongoing geological processes, biological evolution and man's interaction with his natural environment; containing unique, rare and superlative natural phenomena, formations and features and areas of exceptional natural beauty; and Providing habitats where populations of rare and endangered species of plants and animals still survive being an outstanding example representing a major stage of the earth’s evolutionary history

22. Acanthaster planci Outbreaks

23. Acanthaster planci Effects of Outbreaks

24. Acanthaster planci OUTBREAKS Recorded Outbreaks 1962 – 1976 1979 – 1981 1993 - date

25. Acanthaster planci Monitoring

26. Acanthaster planci Monitoring

27. Acanthaster planci Effects of Outbreaks 57% of all outbreak reefs lost 30-50% of their coral 1979 – 1991 Outbreak ON AVERAGE the last outbreak episode caused a 3.4 fold increase in the amount of dead coral than normal

28. Acanthaster planci Natural phenomenon? Female ability to produce 60 million eggs Have outbreaks been ocurring for 3000-7000 years? Are human activities responsible for the worsening/increased frequency of outbreaks? Increased nutrient run-off from the land increases the amount of phytoplankton in the water = greater survival of larvae OR Fishing and shell collecting have led to decreased numbers of predators of the crown of thorns Causes of Outbreaks

29. Acanthaster planci Current Policy No large-scale interference Close monitoring through three major programs

30. Acanthaster planci Summary …outbreaks can cause significant disturbance to coral reefs over a wide geographic area… despite considerable scientific research, the cause of … outbreaks and the role of human activities as a causal factor are unknown. Consequently management activities are confined to accurately assessing the current extent and intensity of the outbreak, and to providing advice on crown-of-thorns starfish control measures for particular sites.

31. Acanthaster planci For more information and regular updates visit: www.gbrmpa.gov.au and look for “State of the Reef Report” updates www.gbrmpa.gov.au

32. Acanthaster planci Other Sources: www.reef.crc.org.au www.aims.gov.au www.reef.crc.org.au