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Crown-of-thorns starfish larvae are vulnerable to predation even in the presence of alternative prey

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Abstract

Many predators reported to feed on crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS, Acanthaster spp.) are generalist and opportunistic feeders. However, research into predation on CoTS tends to examine these predator–prey interactions in isolation, and it remains unknown whether many potential predators will prey on CoTS when other, potentially more palatable, food sources are available. Assessing predatory responses to changes in prey availability is critical for gauging the capacity of predators to regulate prey populations. Here, we explored prey preferences and tested for prey switching across nine species of planktivorous damselfish offered varying densities of Pacific CoTS (Acanthaster cf. solaris) larvae versus larvae of a common and co-occurring starfish, Linckia laevigata. Results show that planktivorous damselfishes will consume crown-of-thorns starfish larvae, even in the presence of alternative prey. Feeding responses varied among the nine planktivorous predators with five damselfishes (Acanthochromis polyacanthus, Amblyglyphidodon curacao, Dascyllus reticulatus, Pomacentrus amboinensis and Pomacentrus moluccensis) exhibiting increased consumption of Acanthaster larvae with increasing density, despite the presence of alternative prey. Moreover, Abudefduf sexfasciatus and P. amboinensis exhibited preference for larvae of A. cf. solaris over larvae of L. laevigata. Despite these predation patterns, prey switching between starfish larvae was not observed. These results add to a growing body of evidence which suggests that predators of the early life stages of A. cf. solaris could be important in regulating settlement and recruitment patterns of this starfish, especially at low, non-outbreak, densities.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by an Ian Potter Foundation 50th Anniversary Commemorative Grant awarded to ZLC by the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station, in addition to a research allocation supplied by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. We would like to thank A Buck, A Graba-Landry, C Van Wynen, M Scott, S Matthews and V Messmer for field and laboratory assistance, in addition to L Vail and A Hoggett for logistic support at the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station. This research was conducted in accordance with the James Cook University Animal Ethics guidelines (JCU Animal Ethics Approval No. A2183). Fish and Acanthaster sp. were collected under Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority permit number G13/35909.1. Linckia laevigata were collected under Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Permit Number G15/38002.1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Zara-Louise Cowan, Ciemon F. Caballes & Morgan S. Pratchett

  2. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Scott D. Ling

  3. National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia

    Symon A. Dworjanyn

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  1. Zara-Louise Cowan
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Correspondence to Zara-Louise Cowan.

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Cowan, ZL., Ling, S.D., Caballes, C.F. et al. Crown-of-thorns starfish larvae are vulnerable to predation even in the presence of alternative prey. Coral Reefs 39, 293–303 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-019-01890-w

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