Ecology of Acanthaster planci
 
Main Ref. Moran, P.J., 1990
Remarks Cryptic on coral areas (Also Ref. 129602) and reef patches (Ref. 78188). On a reef slope (Ref. 97449). Feeds on hard corals, soft corals, encrusting organisms, algae, gorgonians and cannibalistic on other Acanthaster planci (Ref. 78188). Nocturnal (Ref. 130720).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Acanthaster planci may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic: mobile; megabenthos; Hard Bottom: rubble;
Substrate Ref. Moran, P.J., 1990
Special habitats Coral Reefs: reef slope/drop-offs;
Special habitats Ref. Moran, P.J., 1990

Associations

Ref. Schoppe, S., 2000
Associations commensalism;
Associated with Hololepidella commonly found on the oral surface; Periclimenes soror (commensal) found on the aboral surface.
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit browsing on substrate
Feeding habit Ref.

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 3.45 0.57 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 9948)
(e.g. cnidaria)
Comments & Corrections
 
 
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