Science. 1971 Jun 11;172(3988):1155-7. doi: 10.1126/science.172.3988.1155.
An aggregation of 2 x 10(4) Acanthaster planci was observed from September 1969 to November 1970. The sea stars within the aggregation were very uniform in size, and their reproduction was seasonal. Their average diameter and weight also varied seasonally in a manner that suggests a correlation between average size and breeding condition. The aggregation remained compactly situated in a band a few to tens of meters wide and about 2 kilometers long, parallel to the shore. The band did not move appreciably during the observation period. The sea stars were feeding selectively on a coral which was a minor component of the total coral cover. The coral in the area was predominantly alive, and the proportion of dead coral did not increase appreciably during our period of observation.
1969 年 9 月至 1970 年 11 月期间，观察到了一个由 2 x 10(4) 只扁盘星虫组成的聚集群。聚集群中的海星大小非常均匀，且它们的繁殖具有季节性。它们的平均直径和重量也呈现季节性变化，这表明平均大小与繁殖条件之间存在相关性。聚集群紧密地位于一条几到几十米宽、约 2 公里长的带状区域内，与海岸平行。在观察期间，带状区域没有明显移动。海星选择性地以一种珊瑚为食，而这种珊瑚只是总珊瑚覆盖率的一小部分。该地区的珊瑚主要是活的，而且在我们的观察期间，死珊瑚的比例没有明显增加。
