Predators munch on crown-of-thorns starfish

5 Apr 2023
Crab
Schizophrys aspera crab eats small pink juvenile COTS in a tank.

University of Queensland scientists have identified natural predators which could help fight outbreaks of the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) on the Great Barrier Reef.

PhD candidate Amelia Desbiens from UQ’s School of Biological Sciences tested more than 100 species of crabs, shrimps, worms, snails, and small fishes and found one species was a standout at eating juvenile COTS.

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