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Science 4 May 1973:
Vol. 180. no. 4085, pp. 504 - 506
DOI: 10.1126/science.180.4085.504
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Articles

Acanthaster: Effect on Coral Reef Growth in Panama

Peter W. Glynn 1

1 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Canal Zone

Analysis of data on coral abundance and growth, and the population size (26 individuals per hectare) and feeding rate of Acanthaster indicates that Pocillopora reefs on the Pacific coast of Panama are undergoing vigorous growth in the presence of this predator. Prediction of the effects of a population increase in Acanthaster to plague proportions (2.5 times that presently observed) suggests that reefs could still maintain a positive growth. However, Acanthaster at ten times the present population density would lead to rapid destruction of reefs. It is argued that coral destruction due to Acanthaster represents only one of several factors affecting coral reef progression.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Biokarst: review and prospect.
H. A. Viles and H.A. Viles (1984)
Progress in Physical Geography 8, 523-542
   PDF »
Community Structure of Coral Reefs on Opposite Sides of the Isthmus of Panama.
J. W. Porter and J. W. Portfr (1974)
Science 186, 543-545
   Abstract »    PDF »
Acanthaster: Tests of the Time Course of Coral Destruction.
W. A. Newman and T. F. Dana (1974)
Science 183, 103
   PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)