Acanthaster planci outbreak: decline in coral health, coral size structure modification and consequences for obligate decapod assemblages.

ABSTRACT: Although benthic motile invertebrate communities encompass the vast majority of coral reef diversity, their response to habitat modification has been poorly studied. A variety of benthic species, particularly decapods, provide benefits to their coral host enabling them to cope with environmental stressors, and as a result benefit the overall diversity of coral-associated species. However, little is known about how invertebrate assemblages associated with corals will be affected by global perturbations, (either directly or indirectly via their coral host) or their consequences for ecosystem resilience. Analysis of a ten year dataset reveals that the greatest perturbation at Moorea over this time was an outbreak of the corallivorous sea star Acanthaster planci from 2006 to 2009 impacting hab

SUBMITTER: Leray M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3328453 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature