A threat to coral reefs multiplied? Four species of crown-of-thorns starfish

作者：Vogler Catherine; Benzie John; Lessios Harilaos; Barber Paul H; Woerheide Gert

来源：Biology Letters, 2008, 4(6): 696-699.

DOI：10.1098/rsbl.2008.0454

• species complex
• sibling species
• Acanthaster planci
• crown-of-thorns starfish

In the face of ever-increasing threats to coral reef ecosystems, it is essential to understand the impact of natural predators in order to devise appropriate management strategies. Destructive population explosions of the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci have devastated coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific for decades. But despite extensive research, the causes of outbreaks are still unclear. An important consideration in this research is that A. planci has been regarded as a single taxonomic entity. Using molecular data from its entire distribution, we find that A. planci is in fact a species complex. This discovery has important consequences for future coral reef research, and might prove critical for successful reef conservation management.

• 出版日期2008-12-23