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Are infestations of Cymomelanodactylus killing Acropora cytherea in the Chagos archipelago?

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Pratchett, M. S., Graham, N. A. J., Sheppard, Charles (Charles R. C.) and Mayes, B.. (2010) Are infestations of Cymomelanodactylus killing Acropora cytherea in the Chagos archipelago? Coral Reefs, Vol.29 (No.4). p. 941. ISSN 0722-4028

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0654-x

Abstract

Associations between branching corals and infaunal crabs are well known, mostly due to the beneficial effects of Trapezia and Tetralia crabs in protecting host corals from crown-of-thorns starfish (e.g., Pratchett et al. 2000) and/or sedimentation (Stewart et al. 2006). These crabs are obligate associates of live corals and highly prevalent across suitable coral hosts, with 1–2 individuals per colony (Patton 1994). Cymo melanodactylus (Fig. 1) are also prevalent in branching corals, mostly Acropora, and are known to feed on live coral tissue, but are generally found in low abundance (<3 per colony) and do not significantly affect their host corals (e.g., Patton 1994). In the Chagos archipelago, however, infestations of Cymo melanodactylus were found on recently dead and dying colonies of Acropora cytherea.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) > Biological Sciences ( -2010) Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- )
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Xanthidae, Acropora, Islands -- British Indian Ocean Territory, Corals -- Predators of
Journal or Publication Title:	Coral Reefs
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	0722-4028
Date:	December 2010
Volume:	Vol.29
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	p. 941
Identification Number:	10.1007/s00338-010-0654-x
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Great Britain. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Queensland Smart Futures Fund
References:	McIlwain JL, Jones GP (1997) Prey selection by an obligate coral-feeding wrasse and its response to small-scale disturbance. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 155:189–198 Patton WK (1994) Distribution and ecology of animals associated with branching corals (Acropora spp.) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bull Mar Sci 55:193–211 Pratchett MS, Vytopil E, Parks P (2000) Coral crabs influence the feeding patterns of crown-of-thorns starfish. Coral Reefs 19:36 Stewart HL, Holbrook SJ, Schmitt RJ, Brooks AJ (2006) Symbiotic crabs maintain coral health by clearing sediments. Coral Reefs 25:609–615
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/3990