Biology and epibiont community of the red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera, on the southern Great Barrier Reef DOI Creative Commons

Clare Goodhill,

Amelia A. Desbiens, Kennedy Wolfe

et al.

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(2), P. 455 - 466

Published: March 5, 2024

Abstract Organismal symbioses are fundamental to biodiversity, evolution, and ecosystem functioning. On coral reefs, many decapod species have formed distinct epibiotic through decoration tendencies that enhance diet, camouflage, defence. The red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera (Majidae: Decapoda), has a broad Indo-Pacific distribution is successful predator of juvenile crown-of-thorns seastars (CoTS; Acanthaster sp.). However, little known the biology decorating S. on Great Barrier Reef (GBR), where CoTS pose ongoing management challenges. We characterised its epibiont community collected in rubble patches southern GBR. predominantly used sponges (94 ± 1%; mean SE) decoration, with greater proportions carapace covered for juveniles (58 5%) females (46 4%) compared males (24 4%). In short-term (8-d) experiments, substantially reduced sponge (31%) algal (47%) cover pieces, demonstrating potential alter sessile communities. close association algae likely reflects diet enhances camouflage chemical defence niche As taxa often noxious, we postulate these may confer resilience plancitoxins consumption CoTS. Evaluating how diversity biochemistry shape habitat associations, distribution, role as prey be important understanding ability mediate densities GBR elsewhere.

Language: Английский

The future of utilising semiochemical pest control methods to manage the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks on coral reefs DOI Creative Commons
Richard J. Harris, Dale L. Barnard, Gillian Paxton

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 110984 - 110984

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
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
Feeding preferences and growth in herbivorous juvenile crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster cf. solaris) DOI Creative Commons

Karl Jensen,

Peter C. Doll,

M. Cabrera

et al.

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 172(6)

Published: May 19, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Dead foundation species create coral rubble habitat that benefits a resilient pest species DOI Creative Commons
Kennedy Wolfe, Maria Byrne

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 202, P. 106740 - 106740

Published: Sept. 5, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Biology and epibiont community of the red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera, on the southern Great Barrier Reef DOI Creative Commons

Clare Goodhill,

Amelia A. Desbiens, Kennedy Wolfe

et al.

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(2), P. 455 - 466

Published: March 5, 2024

Abstract Organismal symbioses are fundamental to biodiversity, evolution, and ecosystem functioning. On coral reefs, many decapod species have formed distinct epibiotic through decoration tendencies that enhance diet, camouflage, defence. The red decorator crab, Schizophrys aspera (Majidae: Decapoda), has a broad Indo-Pacific distribution is successful predator of juvenile crown-of-thorns seastars (CoTS; Acanthaster sp.). However, little known the biology decorating S. on Great Barrier Reef (GBR), where CoTS pose ongoing management challenges. We characterised its epibiont community collected in rubble patches southern GBR. predominantly used sponges (94 ± 1%; mean SE) decoration, with greater proportions carapace covered for juveniles (58 5%) females (46 4%) compared males (24 4%). In short-term (8-d) experiments, substantially reduced sponge (31%) algal (47%) cover pieces, demonstrating potential alter sessile communities. close association algae likely reflects diet enhances camouflage chemical defence niche As taxa often noxious, we postulate these may confer resilience plancitoxins consumption CoTS. Evaluating how diversity biochemistry shape habitat associations, distribution, role as prey be important understanding ability mediate densities GBR elsewhere.

Language: Английский

Citations

2