A Review of the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis), from Exploitation to Coral Reef Protector?

Cherie A Motti; Scott Cummins; Michael R Hall

doi:10.3390/d14110961

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A Review of the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis), from Exploitation to Coral Reef Protector?

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A Review of the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis), from Exploitation to Coral Reef Protector?

Cherie A Motti, Scott Cummins and Michael R Hall

Diversity, Vol.14, pp.1-35

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110961

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Abstract

aquaculture

biocontrol

Crown-of-Thorns starfish

indigenous predator

integrated pest management

marine gastropod

trophodynamics

predation efficiency

Charonia tritonis (Charoniidae), one of the largest marine gastropods and an echinoderm specialist, preys on Crown of Thorns starfish (CoTS), a recurring pest that continues to be a leading cause of coral mortality on Indo Pacific reefs. Widespread historical exploitation has impacted their numbers, with standing populations considered rare throughout their habitat. Their life stage attributes , i.e., teleplanic larvae, planktotrophic phase spanning years permitting transoceanic dispersal , and recruitment to coral reefs through oceanic influx with intense larval mortality, have likely hindered their recovery. Decline in numbers is hypothesised to account partially for periodic CoTS outbreaks, yet predator prey dynamics between these two species that might influence this are poorly understood. The C. tritonis excretory secretome elicits a proximity deterrence effect on CoTS, the nature of which is under investigation as a possible tool in CoTS biocontrol scenarios. However, specificity and zone of impact in situ are unknown, and whether the mere presence of C. tritonis and/or predation pressure has any regulatory influence over CoTS populations remains to be established. The fundamental taxonomy and distinctive characteristics, biology and ecology of C. tritonis is summarized, and knowledge gaps relevant to understanding their role within coral reefs identified. Information is provided regarding exploitation of C. tritonis across its habitat, and prospects for conservation interventions, including captive rearing and stock enhancement to repopulate local regions, are discussed. Its predator-prey ecology is also examined and potential to mitigate CoTS considered. Recommendations to direct future research into this predator and for its inclusion in a CoTS integrated pest management strategy to improve coral reef health are offered.

Details

Title: A Review of the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis), from Exploitation to Coral Reef Protector?
Authors: Cherie A Motti (Corresponding Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Scott Cummins (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
Michael R Hall (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Publication details: Diversity, Vol.14, pp.1-35
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.3390/d14110961
ISSN: 1424-2818
Copyright note: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Grant note: Australian Government National Environmental Science Program Tropical Water Quality (NESP TWQ 2.1.1) Hub Australian Federal Government/Department of the Environment and Energy Reef 2050 Sustainability Plan Grant ID: 3600000775 Australian Institute of Marine Science
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99686998202621
Output Type: Journal article