Data

Distribution and abundance of juvenile starfish in the central Great Barrier Reef

Name: Distribution and abundance of juvenile starfish in the central Great Barrier Reef
Published: 2026

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/720e8f20-44ad-11dc-986b-00008a07204e&rft.title=Distribution and abundance of juvenile starfish in the central Great Barrier Reef&rft.identifier=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/720e8f20-44ad-11dc-986b-00008a07204e&rft.publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)&rft.description=The densities of juvenile Acanthaster planci (Crown-of thorns starfish) were sampled at 16 inner mid-shelf reefs of the central Great Barrier Reef during trips in July, September and November 1986 and were resurveyed in November/December 1987. The reefs sampled were: Lodestone, Keeper, Little Broadhurst, Bowden, Mid, Stanley (3 independent surveys), Old, Charity, Hope, Showers, Bait, Ross, Square, Robertson, Credlin and Bushy-Redbill.A destructive sampling technique was chosen due to the small size and cryptic behaviour of the starfish during their first 10-12 months of benthic development. On each reef two replicate 10x1m transects were sampled at each of two arbitrarily chosen sites located within three depth zones (reef base, reef crest and reef flat) and two exposure categories (windward and leeward). Surface features of each transect were mapped with a resolution of 15cm. Loose and detachable pieces of substrate were removed, broken into small pieces and searched underwater for the presence of stafish. While the study was primarily focused on Acanthaster planci, all starfish species were recorded. The position of each starfish encountered was recorded on the substratum map and the specimen retained for subsequent identification and measurement. Sampling of a transect ceased either when it reached bed rock or a depth of 30cm.In order to determine the precision of the sampling method, the reef with the highest densities observed on the first cruise in 1986 (Stanley Reef) was resurveyed twice more during subsequent cruises that year.In both 1986 and 1987, transects at one leeward site on each of four reefs were sampled nocturnally. Twelve 12 transects were marked out and 6 were sampled in the usual way during the day and 6 were searched without destruction after 2100 hours. This research was undertaken to:1. define the juvenile habitat of Acanthaster planci and 2. investigate the spatial and temporal abundance of juveniles and their contribution to the population outbreaks observed in this species.Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Statement: Assistance with starfish taxonomy - Dr F Rowe&rft.creator=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) &rft.date=2026&rft.coverage=westlimit=147.0; southlimit=-21.0; eastlimit=150.5; northlimit=-18.0&rft.coverage=westlimit=147.0; southlimit=-21.0; eastlimit=150.5; northlimit=-18.0&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). (2008). Distribution and abundance of juvenile starfish in the central Great Barrier Reef. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/720e8f20-44ad-11dc-986b-00008a07204e, accessed[date-of-access].&rft_rights=Resource Usage:Use 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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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/

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). (2008). Distribution and abundance of juvenile starfish in the central Great Barrier Reef. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/720e8f20-44ad-11dc-986b-00008a07204e, accessed[date-of-access]".

Resource Usage:Use 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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The densities of juvenile Acanthaster planci (Crown-of thorns starfish) were sampled at 16 inner mid-shelf reefs of the central Great Barrier Reef during trips in July, September and November 1986 and were resurveyed in November/December 1987. The reefs sampled were: Lodestone, Keeper, Little Broadhurst, Bowden, Mid, Stanley (3 independent surveys), Old, Charity, Hope, Showers, Bait, Ross, Square, Robertson, Credlin and Bushy-Redbill.A destructive sampling technique was chosen due to the small size and cryptic behaviour of the starfish during their first 10-12 months of benthic development. On each reef two replicate 10x1m transects were sampled at each of two arbitrarily chosen sites located within three depth zones (reef base, reef crest and reef flat) and two exposure categories (windward and leeward). Surface features of each transect were mapped with a resolution of 15cm. Loose and detachable pieces of substrate were removed, broken into small pieces and searched underwater for the presence of stafish. While the study was primarily focused on Acanthaster planci, all starfish species were recorded. The position of each starfish encountered was recorded on the substratum map and the specimen retained for subsequent identification and measurement. Sampling of a transect ceased either when it reached bed rock or a depth of 30cm.In order to determine the precision of the sampling method, the reef with the highest densities observed on the first cruise in 1986 (Stanley Reef) was resurveyed twice more during subsequent cruises that year.In both 1986 and 1987, transects at one leeward site on each of four reefs were sampled nocturnally. Twelve 12 transects were marked out and 6 were sampled in the usual way during the day and 6 were searched without destruction after 2100 hours.
This research was undertaken to:1. define the juvenile habitat of Acanthaster planci and 2. investigate the spatial and temporal abundance of juveniles and their contribution to the population outbreaks observed in this species.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned

Statement: Statement: Assistance with starfish taxonomy - Dr F Rowe

Notes

Credit
Doherty, Peter J, Dr (Principal Investigator)

Modified: 18 09 2026

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text: westlimit=147.0; southlimit=-21.0; eastlimit=150.5; northlimit=-18.0

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oceans |

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Other Information

Monitoring the distribution and abundance of juvenile Acanthaster planci in the central Great Barrier Reef: Doherty PJ and Davidson J (1988) Monitoring the distribution and abundance of juvenile Acanthaster planci in the central Great Barrier Reef. 2: 131-136. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Coral Reef Symposium, Townsville, Australia 8-12 August 1988.

local : articleId=2311

Identifiers

global : 720e8f20-44ad-11dc-986b-00008a07204e