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Distribution Shifts of Acanthaster solaris Under Climate Change and the Impact on Coral Reef Habitats

Shangke Su,J. Liu,Bin Chen,Wei Wang,Jiaguang Xiao,Yuan Li,Jianguo Du,Jianhua Kang,Wenjia Hu,Junpeng Zhang

Published 2025 in Animals

ABSTRACT

Simple Summary Acanthaster solaris outbreaks are a major threat to coral reefs, and climate change may worsen their spread. Despite this, there have been few studies predicting how climate change affects their distribution and the impact on coral habitats. This study aimed to predict how A. solaris might shift its range under climate change and how it could impact coral reefs, particularly Acropora corals. Using a two-step species distribution modeling approach, the study created the first global maps of current and future A. solaris habitats. The results revealed that the starfish’s range could expand, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, with some areas like New Zealand potentially seeing new invasions. The findings also indicated that regions with abundant Acropora corals could face increased predatory pressure, particularly under high-emission climate scenarios. This research is important for coral reef management and highlights the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems from the growing threat of A. solaris.

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