Sea Star Predation (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

Sea Star Predation

Caption

A predator crown-of-thorns sea star eats an undefended coral, leaving visible white scares of exposed coral skeleton where the tissue has been removed. In Sept. 2014, Smithsonian scientists Seabird McKeon and Jenna Moore published new research highlighting the role of diversity in the healthy functioning of coral reef ecosystems, showing that guard-crab species and size classes offer different kinds of effective protection against various threats to coral reefs.

Credit

Courtesy of Jenna Moore

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