/PROJECTS
Population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) have detrimental effects on coral reef ecosystems, both threatening their sustainability as well as compromising restoration efforts. Traditional monitoring techniques to detect the presence of CoTS usually rely on underwater visual transects. Due to the cryptic behavior and low visibility of juveniles, these methods are not effective at providing early warnings before outbreaks occur (or determining areas of inherently high population abundance). Recent advancements in the quantification of environmental DNA (eDNA) using species-specific primers have enabled CoTS detection on the Great Barrier Reef. However, the suitability of this approach and primers for the detection of CoTS in the Red Sea has not been explored yet.
This project aims to develop and test species-specific assays for CoTS, providing an early warning system to enhance the success of restoration efforts in Shushah Island, and other Red Sea areas. Specifically, a TaqMan Probe-Based Real-Time PCR Assay (qPCR) will be developed and tested in aquaria with different densities of CoTS collected at the reefs in Shushah Island. These experiments will be validated by field-based collections along transects at reefs in Shushah and associated control/reference sites.