Data

Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia

Name: Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia
Published: 2025

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)

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ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/745c9980-6fbd-11dc-9ef6-00008a07204e&rft.title=Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia&rft.identifier=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/745c9980-6fbd-11dc-9ef6-00008a07204e&rft.publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)&rft.description=Surveys of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) were undertaken in the western half of the Dampier Archipelago, at 3 fringing reefs (Enderby Island, Goodwin Island and Kendrew Island) and 1 barrier reef (Sailfish Reef) in 1987. The manta tow technique was used to record the relative abundance of crown-of-thorns starfish, numbers of white feeding scars on corals and estimates of live and dead hard coral cover. This technique was also used to identify suitable collection sites where Acanthaster planci was abundant.Samples of Acanthaster planci were collected using scuba at 2 sites on each of Kendrew and Enderby Reefs, and at 1 site on Goodwyn and Sailfish Reefs. Crown-of-thorns starfish were collected from each of these sites, except for Goodwyn Reef, where no individuals were observed.The diameter of each starfish was recorded and samples of pyloric caeca were taken. The labelled samples were stored in liquid nitrogen and returned to AIMS for genetic analysis. Photographs were taken of each starfish collected at Enderby Island (site 1), and then a portion of aboral disc and 2 arms removed from each. These samples were labelled, stored in 5% sea-water formalin and returned to AIMS for subsequent morphometric analysis. Observations were also made on gonad development and any damage sustained by the starfish. The purpose of this study was to collect samples of Acanthaster planci from the Dampier Archipelago for genetic and morphometric analyses and to conduct preliminary surveys of the distribution, abundance and impact of Acanthaster planci upon coral community structure within the Dampier Archipelago. The results of genetic studies of the starfish collected during this survey are reported in the metadata record Genetics of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci in AustraliaMaintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Statement: Site selection:Study areas were selected according to the following criteria:1. Proximity to the field station on Enderby Island2. Recent reports of abundant Acanthaster planci3. Results of previous surveysThe manta tow technique:An observer was towed at a speed of about 2 knots behind a dinghy around a portion of the perimeter of each reef. After each 2 minute tow period the following observations were recorded:1. The relative abundance of crown-of-thorns starfish. This is expressed as the total number of individuals observed, or according to one of 5 abundance categories:0 = 0 starfish1 = 1-9 starfish2 = 10-39 starfish3 = 40-100 starfish4 = greater than 100 starfish2. The relative abundance of distinct areas of recently dead (white) coral.This is expressed as the total number of coral scars observed. This provided an indication of the relative level of recent Acanthaster predation. 3. Estimates of the relative cover of live and dead hard corals.This is expressed according to one of 6 percentage categories:0 =0%1 =1-10%2 =1-30%3 =31-50%4 =51-75%5 =76-100%&rft.creator=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) &rft.date=2025&rft.coverage=westlimit=116.46135; southlimit=-20.609715; eastlimit=116.619928; northlimit=-20.442961&rft.coverage=westlimit=116.46135; southlimit=-20.609715; eastlimit=116.619928; northlimit=-20.442961&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/&rft_rights=Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided as is and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.&rft_rights=Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2009). Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/745c9980-6fbd-11dc-9ef6-00008a07204e, accessed[date-of-access].&rft_rights=Resource Usage:Map products not to be used for navigationUse of the AIMS data is for not-for-profit applications only. All other users shall seek permission for use by contacting AIMS. Acknowledgements as prescribed must be clearly set out in the user's formal communications or publications.&rft_subject=oceans&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data

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Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided "as is" and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.

Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: "Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2009). Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/745c9980-6fbd-11dc-9ef6-00008a07204e, accessed[date-of-access]".

Resource Usage:Map products not to be used for navigationUse of the AIMS data is for not-for-profit applications only. All other users shall seek permission for use by contacting AIMS. Acknowledgements as prescribed must be clearly set out in the user's formal communications or publications.

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Surveys of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) were undertaken in the western half of the Dampier Archipelago, at 3 fringing reefs (Enderby Island, Goodwin Island and Kendrew Island) and 1 barrier reef (Sailfish Reef) in 1987. The manta tow technique was used to record the relative abundance of crown-of-thorns starfish, numbers of white feeding scars on corals and estimates of live and dead hard coral cover. This technique was also used to identify suitable collection sites where Acanthaster planci was abundant.Samples of Acanthaster planci were collected using scuba at 2 sites on each of Kendrew and Enderby Reefs, and at 1 site on Goodwyn and Sailfish Reefs. Crown-of-thorns starfish were collected from each of these sites, except for Goodwyn Reef, where no individuals were observed.The diameter of each starfish was recorded and samples of pyloric caeca were taken. The labelled samples were stored in liquid nitrogen and returned to AIMS for genetic analysis. Photographs were taken of each starfish collected at Enderby Island (site 1), and then a portion of aboral disc and 2 arms removed from each. These samples were labelled, stored in 5% sea-water formalin and returned to AIMS for subsequent morphometric analysis. Observations were also made on gonad development and any damage sustained by the starfish.
The purpose of this study was to collect samples of Acanthaster planci from the Dampier Archipelago for genetic and morphometric analyses and to conduct preliminary surveys of the distribution, abundance and impact of Acanthaster planci upon coral community structure within the Dampier Archipelago.
The results of genetic studies of the starfish collected during this survey are reported in the metadata record "Genetics of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci in Australia"

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned

Statement: Statement: Site selection:Study areas were selected according to the following criteria:1. Proximity to the field station on Enderby Island2. Recent reports of abundant Acanthaster planci3. Results of previous surveysThe manta tow technique:An observer was towed at a speed of about 2 knots behind a dinghy around a portion of the perimeter of each reef. After each 2 minute tow period the following observations were recorded:1. The relative abundance of crown-of-thorns starfish. This is expressed as the total number of individuals observed, or according to one of 5 abundance categories:0 = 0 starfish1 = 1-9 starfish2 = 10-39 starfish3 = 40-100 starfish4 = greater than 100 starfish2. The relative abundance of distinct areas of recently dead (white) coral.This is expressed as the total number of coral scars observed. This provided an indication of the relative level of recent Acanthaster predation. 3. Estimates of the relative cover of live and dead hard corals.This is expressed according to one of 6 percentage categories:0 =0%1 =1-10%2 =1-30%3 =31-50%4 =51-75%5 =76-100%

Notes

Credit
Stoddart, James A, Dr (Principal Investigator)

Modified: 19 09 2025

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text: westlimit=116.46135; southlimit=-20.609715; eastlimit=116.619928; northlimit=-20.442961

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Other Information

Report on surveys of the distribution, abundance and impact of Acanthaster planci on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago (Western Australia): Johnson DB and Stoddart JA (1987) Report on surveys of the distribution, abundance and impact of Acanthaster planci on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago (Western Australia). Australian Institute of Marine Science.

local : articleId=2201

Identifiers

global : 745c9980-6fbd-11dc-9ef6-00008a07204e