世界自然保护联盟IUCN：2025年保护沙特阿拉伯的珊瑚礁：国家刺尾葵响应计划启动报告（英文版）

The crown-of-thorns is a large predatory seastar which belongs to the phylum Echinodermata, and inhabits tropical and subtropical Pacific reefs from 32o S to 34o N and can grow to around half a meter in diameter. It has up to 21 arms, with the entire upper surface of its body covered in long venomous spines. The seastars can move up to 20m in an hour. COTs normally spawn when water temperature is about 28o C. The seastars release eggs and sperm into the water and when the eggs are fertilised,