Crown of Thorns

Christophe Mason-Parker · Issue 85, Jul/Aug 2015 · pp. 58–61

The Crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) belongs to the phylum Echinodermata, a diverse group of marine organisms that includes sea urchins, sea cucumbers and the sea stars. Crown of thorns starfish (COTS) inhabit the entire Indo-pacific region, where they prefer sheltered reef environments away from wave action and turbulent water. The sea stars are found in a variety of colours ranging from crimson and grey to royal blue and black and are covered in an armour of needle sharp spines, which can reach 5cm in length. These menacing, yet strikingly beautiful marine invertebrates can grow up to 40cm in size, though individuals of 80cm have been recorded. The adult starfish may have over a dozen spine-covered arms, which they are capable of regenerating if damaged or lost to predators. Crown of thorns sea stars are themselves coral predators. The animal feeds by eviscerating its stom…