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Distribution Of Crown Of Thorns (Acanthaster Planci) Outbreaks Along The North Shore Of Tutuiladistribution Of Crown Of Thorns (Acanthaster Planci) Outbreaks Along The North Shore Of Tutuila, Johann Vollrath, Timothy Clark, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Outbreak levels of Crown of Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci, COTs) have been occurring around Tutuila since 2011. These outbreaks are thought to be caused by increased nutrients due to terrestrial runoff. Outbreaks were confined to the south side of Tutuila in 2011 and 2012, but spread to the north side in 2013. A possible reason for the observed outbreaks on the south side could be that most of Tutuila’s population live on the south side of the island. Thus, we hypothesize that due to the small population of people on the north side of Tutuila, there should be …