merged

The Feeding Preference of Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster Planci
at Reefs of Pulau Redang.
NUR IZZ BIN MOHD YUSRI
Supervisor: Dr. Tan Chun Hong
Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology)
School of Marine and Environmental Sciences
The Crown-of-Thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, is well-known corallivore. Numerous
factor such as influence of coral symbiont organisms and nutritional contents proposed
to influence the feeding preference of A. planci. But, there was limited understanding
on the effects of coral defence mechanism (i.e., nematocyst cell) on feeding
preference of A. planci. This study investigated the feeding preferences of A. planci at
reefs of Pulau Redang and examined the nematocyst cells in different coral genera.
Total 13 coral genera were recorded with A. planci feeding scar. Branching Acropora
was recorded with most scars, followed by Pocillopora and Fungia. In contrast, least
scars were found in Galaxea. Furthermore, only Galaxea contained four types of
nematocysts: b- and p-mastigophores, robust spirocysts and gracile spirocysts
whereas the more preferred genus (e.g., Acropora and Pocillopora) contained only
gracile spirocysts and b-mastigophores cell. Study of toxin in nematocysts would
require to provide more insights about specific function of the cell.
1832 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018