Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks threaten tropical coral reefs, consuming living coral at alarming rates. These starfish possess traits allowing larvae and juveniles to survive scarce food and changing conditions. Female starfish release millions of eggs, and larval cloning aids population growth and dispersal. Loss of predators and nutrient levels can also contribute to these damaging population surges. Understanding starfish biology and environmental factors is crucial for effective reef protection efforts.
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