ABSTRACT Fringing and patch coral reefs are present on the Arabian (Persian) Gulf shores of northern Oman (Musandam) and in the Gulf of Oman, notably off the Daymaniyat Islands and in the Capital (Muscat) area. Coral reefs are generally absent from the Arabian Sea coast of southern Oman, most likely a result of monsoon-induced upwelling. However, fringing reefs are present on the northwest (leeward) side of Masirah Island and on the mainland opposite, both areas that are partly sheltered from open coast upwelling. Acanthaster planci was observed in the coral rich Gulf of Oman only, where it caused widespread and selective coral mortality during a population outbreak. Starting in 1978-79, with diminishing effects to 1982, coral reefs with high acroporid coral cover experienced high mortalities with virtually all Acropora spp. eliminated on many reefs. Reefs with high pocilloporid coral cover largely escaped predation, probably because Acanthaster encountered difficulties in traversing continuous stands of this coral: the coral's nematocysts and the presence of symbiotic crustacean guards deter the starfish. Thus, where environmental conditions are suitable for reef development, sporadic, high level Acanthaster predation can modify coral community structure through the differential survival of coral prey and hence lead to the development of Acanthaster resistant reef types.

ABSTRACT Fringing and patch coral reefs are present on the Arabian (Persian) Gulf shores of northern Oman (Musandam) and in the Gulf of Oman, notably off the Daymaniyat Islands and in the Capital (Muscat) area. Coral reefs are generally absent from the Arabian Sea coast of southern Oman, most li...