Thread by @SERCinvasions

#DYK one of the most voracious ocean predators is the sea star? Most species are generalist predators, eating mollusks, crustaceans, bivalves, microalgae, and other echinoderms. Acanthasteridae, commonly known as the Crown-of-Thorns seastar, will even feed on coral polyps! (1/5)

The Northern Pacific sea star (Asterias amurensis) was named one of the world’s 100 worst #InvasiveSpecies. These stars will eat almost anything causing huge economic consequences – the Tasmanian fishing industry alone has suffered an estimated billion dollar loss! #NISAW (2/5)

Another invasive sea star - Savigyi’s Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi B) - is considered the world's most common and widely distributed. This #BrittleStar commonly inhabits marine #FoulingCommunities and has been found on ships' hulls, buoys, and marine structures. (3/5)

Perhaps the most known for causing ecological destruction is the corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns – but it's not an #InvasiveSpecies! This star is native to the Indo-Pacific but its population can grow out of control. Read more from @echinoblog: ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/inv… (4/5)

Often we don’t know the cause of sea star outbreaks – whether they be native or invasive. Warmer sea temps, decline of predators through habitat destruction & overfishing, and over-collection of Triton’s trumpet (Charonia sp.) have all been hypothesized as likely causes. (5/5)