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

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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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"

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/def759dc-fce7-4ef5-964f-0f9258340be5
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 20/11/2017
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) surveys on reefs within the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/crown-of-thorns-starfish-acanthaster-planci-surveys-on-reefs-within-the-dampier-archipelago-wes1