eDNA confirms lower trophic interactions help to modulate population outbreaks of the notorious crown-of-thorns sea star DOI Creative Commons
Kennedy Wolfe, Amelia A. Desbiens, Frances Patel

et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(11)

Published: March 10, 2025

Variability in predator–prey interactions can modulate population dynamics with impacts scalable to entire ecosystems. As notorious corallivores, crown-of-thorns sea stars (CoTS; Acanthaster spp.) have caused extensive losses of coral habitat during unexplained outbreaks across the Indo-Pacific. While predation adult CoTS may help suppress their outbreaks, it does not sufficiently explain profound boom-bust and so remains equivocal. Factors influencing early postsettlement mortality are generally more impactful on size, thus lower trophic involving juvenile better contribute outbreak prevention. We evaluated impact key predatory decapods that interact rubble nursery before they emerge as destructive corallivores. Decapod density was influenced by complexity varied regionally, inverse spatial trends Great Barrier Reef. Using eDNA gut content analysis, we confirmed seven species (~12% individuals) wild-caught decapod, collected from two reefs separated >1,000 km, predators. Owing variation predator abundance community structure, estimated potential (previous aquarium experiments) realized (eDNA results here) rates consumption were ~3-fold ~1.6-fold lower, respectively, hotspots. Through combination field molecular techniques, demonstrated appreciable cryptic predators success this nuisance species, which expands our knowledge pest management, reef conservation. Resolving at levels ecosystem be crucial understanding broader ecological outcomes.

Language: Английский

The West Atlantic Hoary Rubble Crab, Banareia palmeri, Behaves Like a Corallivore DOI Creative Commons

Loh-Lee Low,

Max Willems, Bert W. Hoeksema

et al.

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 144 - 144

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Various photographs of the West Atlantic hoary rubble crab, Banareia palmeri (Rathbun, 1894), published on internet show individuals being perched branching octocorals. This habitat relationship has not been given attention in scientific literature. The crab belongs to brachyuran decapod family Xanthidae, which includes other species that associate with corals and zoantharians. Other aspects biology B. palmeri, such as its diet, are unknown. During a night dive Bonaire, an individual was observed cutting off tip sea rod, Pseudoplexaura sp., pulling loose fragment hiding place. also association octocoral species, Gorgonia ventalina Linnaeus, 1758. Close examination crab’s claws revealed inner edges resemble saws by bearing tooth-like structures sharp edges, explains how this animal is able cut through coral’s soft tissue horny axis. These findings suggest expert clipping branches, may explain why some rod branches can be missing their original rounded tips have regenerated pointy ends instead. Considering octocoral’s regeneration capacity, it would relevant study fast these branch heal whether fragments escaping from survive. Future gut contents aquarium experiments provide more information about dietary preferences.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
eDNA confirms lower trophic interactions help to modulate population outbreaks of the notorious crown-of-thorns sea star DOI Creative Commons
Kennedy Wolfe, Amelia A. Desbiens, Frances Patel

et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(11)

Published: March 10, 2025

Variability in predator–prey interactions can modulate population dynamics with impacts scalable to entire ecosystems. As notorious corallivores, crown-of-thorns sea stars (CoTS; Acanthaster spp.) have caused extensive losses of coral habitat during unexplained outbreaks across the Indo-Pacific. While predation adult CoTS may help suppress their outbreaks, it does not sufficiently explain profound boom-bust and so remains equivocal. Factors influencing early postsettlement mortality are generally more impactful on size, thus lower trophic involving juvenile better contribute outbreak prevention. We evaluated impact key predatory decapods that interact rubble nursery before they emerge as destructive corallivores. Decapod density was influenced by complexity varied regionally, inverse spatial trends Great Barrier Reef. Using eDNA gut content analysis, we confirmed seven species (~12% individuals) wild-caught decapod, collected from two reefs separated >1,000 km, predators. Owing variation predator abundance community structure, estimated potential (previous aquarium experiments) realized (eDNA results here) rates consumption were ~3-fold ~1.6-fold lower, respectively, hotspots. Through combination field molecular techniques, demonstrated appreciable cryptic predators success this nuisance species, which expands our knowledge pest management, reef conservation. Resolving at levels ecosystem be crucial understanding broader ecological outcomes.

Language: Английский

Citations

0