The crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) is a natural predator of corals in the Indo‐Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). While they are native to the region, COTS are a leading cause of coral loss on the GBR. Since the 1960’s, the Reef has experienced three recorded major outbreaks of COTS, with populations erupting approximately every 15 years. A fourth outbreak is now in progress on the northern GBR.
During the spawning season, we conduct multiple experiments in which we raise COTS larvae until they can move onto the reef surface (a stage called settlement). Most of these experiments test the importance of food (small algae) in the survival of the COTS larvae to investigate increased nutrient runoff from farming which may cause COTS outbreaks, as well as testing global change-related factors.
With help of SeaSim staff, we have developed a flow through larval culture system which allows raising larvae under more natural conditions. Larvae cultured in the SeaSim also assist in other COTS research, such as developing eDNA approaches to monitor COTS larvae and adults.
