DNA-based identification of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) in coral reef fish faeces and gut contents

Created 24/06/2025

Updated 24/06/2025

The datasets summarises the results from a research project examining predation on Crown of Thorn starfish by coral reef fish. It includes all fish species caught during four field trips, including location and date caught, as well as results from digital droplet PCR for analyses of CoTS DNA presence. Fish were collected on reefs in the central GBR and around Lizard Island in 2018 and 2019 using methods approved by GBRMPA, DPI Fisheries and JCU Animal Ethics. Their faecal and gut content samples were analysed for CoTS DNA at AIMS in 2018 and 2019 to examine potential predation on Crown of Thorn starfish by coral reef fish. CoTS DNA in fish faecal and gut content samples was analysed using digital droplet PCR. The PCR data is either a ‘YES’ or a ‘NO’, that is COTS DNA is presence (YES) or absent (NO). A Yes suggest that that particular coral reef fish species may have eaten Crown of Thorn starfish.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title DNA-based identification of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) in coral reef fish faeces and gut contents
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/dc26060c-de1a-4ee4-97da-cec4656f4bd4
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 12/12/2019
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    146.899967,
    -18.249717
  ],
  "type": "Point"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "DNA-based identification of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) in coral reef fish faeces and gut contents". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/dna-based-identification-of-crown-of-thorns-starfish-acanthaster-cf-solaris-in-coral-reef-fish-