In the face of ever-increasing threats to coral reef ecosystems, it is essential to understand the impact of natural predators in order to devise appropriate management strategies. Destructive population explosions of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) Acanthaster planci have devastated coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific for decades. But despite extensive research, the causes of outbreaks...

T he oldest representation of a physician in our country can be found at the Museo de Antropologı́a in Mexico City. It stands 9.5 cm tall and dates from 1500 BC. Little is known about surgery in our country before the appearance of the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Texoxotla-Ticitl was the surgeon of that time; he knew how to heal everyday diseases and injuries that resulted from the frequent wars. ...

The cause(s) of primary outbreaks of the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) are still subject to scientific controversy. The possibility of primary outbreaks being linked to terrestrial runoff has been postulated a number of times, suggesting that enhanced nutrient supply is critical for enhanced A. planci larval development. This paper examines the evidence for such a c...

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is currently experiencing widespread crown of thorns starfish (CoTS) outbreaks, as part of the fourth wave of outbreaks since 1962. It is believed that these outbreaks have become more frequent on the GBR and elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific and are associated with anthropogenic causes. The two widely accepted potential causes are (1) anthropogenic nutrient enrichment ...

The attitude of policymakers and designers of green space is increasing toward to native-ornamental species to plant in the urban space because of their adaptation and resistance against severe weather and ecological conditions which can result in cost minimization and long-term survival in green spaces. Hence, the current study was carried out in the west of Mazandaran Province on three wild a...