First record of the fireworm Hermodice carunculata preying on colonies of the threatened staghorn coral Acropora Cervicornis in the southeastern outplanting sites of the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Several fireworms Hermodice carunculata (Pallas, 1766) were observed feeding on coral colonies or transplanted fragments of the threatened staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis (Lamarck, 1816), in outplanting sites at Bayahibe, Dominican Republic. The fireworm H. carunculata has a highly negative impact on A. cervicornis populations, causing several lesions on the living tissue of branches and partial or complete mortality at the outplanting sites. This is the first report of predation on transplanted colonies in a coral restoration program in the Dominican Republic.

Keywords

• Hermodice carunculata
• coral reefs
• restoration
• Acropora cervicornis
• Dominican Republic
• Caribbean