NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — The thorn starfish, native to the Great Barrier Reef, has long been recognized as a major threat to coral reefs. However, a new study led by marine biologists from the University of Sydney has shed light on the starfish’s incredible resilience to warming waters, which could worsen the devastating effects of climate change on coral ecosystems.
The study, led by Professor Maria Byrne from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, found that juvenile thornstars are able to withstand heat waves well above levels that are lethal to corals. This ability allows them to transform into carnivorous predators that feast on newly grown reefs, causing further damage to an already fragile ecosystem.
The crown of thorns starfish is classified as a species of concern due to the significant damage it causes to corals. In terms of their impact on the death of corals, they are superior only to cyclones and bleaching. Found in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly the Great Barrier Reef, these sea stars pose a serious threat to the survival of coral reefs.
The study, published in the journal Global Change Biology, found that juvenile crowned starfish exhibit unexpectedly high tolerance to heat. Moreover, their ability to withstand heat is even higher than that of adults. This means that even if the population of adult sea stars declines due to ocean warming due to climate change or a lack of coral prey, their herbivorous juveniles will be able to patiently wait for the right moment to grow into carnivorous predators.
Coral bleaching and death occur when water temperatures rise 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal summer highs. The study found that young thornstars can tolerate temperatures almost three times higher than those that cause coral bleaching. This suggests that warming waters may benefit the sea star population, as more debris from coral bleaching and death allows their numbers to increase over time.
Professor Byrne stressed the importance of understanding the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, particularly the impact of small cryptic species such as the crown of thorns starfish. She said: “This is an important discovery with implications for understanding the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, particularly the impact of little-studied small cryptic species.”
The thorn starfish has a unique life cycle that is perfectly adapted to warming waters. It starts with a healthy coral, which is then exposed to heat waves that cause bleaching and subsequent death of the corals. The dead corals provide habitat for juvenile thornstars, which are able to withstand heat stress and reproduce. As the reef recovers, these juveniles develop into carnivorous predators, feeding on the newly grown coral.
Scientists and experts are expressing concern about the thornstar’s newfound viability. Dr John Smith, a marine biologist at the University of Queensland, warns that “the ability of these sea stars to withstand high temperatures could have catastrophic consequences for already vulnerable coral reefs. This highlights the urgent need to develop effective conservation strategies to protect these fragile ecosystems.”
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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