1. The Case of the Invaded Reefs of Mā‘alaea Bay ?????????????????? ??

2. Before the Invasion Russell Sparks, DLNR-DAR, Maui

3. After the Invasion

4. What happened? Russell Sparks, DLNR-DAR, Maui

5. Suspect Number 1  Sea Lettuce Seaweed (Ulva spp.)  Native to Hawai‘i  Usually found near freshwater sources.  Edible limu. Joylynn Paman

6.  The crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci), a type of starfish, has been seen in exceptionally large numbers in certain areas of the Pacific Ocean, including Hawai‘i.  It preys on coral polyps and large populations can threaten an entire reef ecosystem. It has few natural predators.  The crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci), a type of starfish, has been seen in exceptionally large numbers in certain areas of the Pacific Ocean, including Hawai‘i.  It preys on coral polyps and large populations can threaten an entire reef ecosystem. It has few natural predators. Suspect Number 2

7. Suspect Number 3  Hookweed (Hypnea musciformis) was purposefully introduced into Kāne‘ohe Bay in 1974 then escaped to other neighbor islands.  This suspect has been found on the reefs of South Maui. Joylynn Paman

8. Suspect Number 4  Unintentionally introduced, prickly or spiny seaweed (Acanthophora spicifera) was attached to a boat arriving from Guam in 1952.  In 1961 it was reported on all islands. Russell Sparks, DLNR-DAR, Maui  Today it is the most widespread alien limu (seaweed) in the Hawaiian Islands.

9. Suspect Number 5  Kākū or the Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) has a large mouth with sharp teeth, which helps it eat larger fishes by chopping them in half.  This apex predator feeds at the top of the food chain, falling second best when compared to sharks and is found in Mā‘alaea Bay. © Hawai‘i C’s Aquaculture

10. Suspect Number 6  Convict tangs, also known as manini (Acanthurus triostegus) are often seen grazing the reefs in very large schools. Russell Sparks, DLNR-DAR, Maui

11. Who are the invaders?

12. What allowed the invaders to succeed? Do some investigating and develop your hypotheses!

13. The Answers… Show the next slide only after the investigation is complete!

14. What is the problem?

15. The Invaders! Map by Russell Sparks, DLNR-DAR, Maui 1.Prickly Seaweed (Acanthophora specifera) 2.Sea Lettuce Seaweed (Ulva spp.) 3.Hookweed Seaweed (Hypnea musciformis)

16. Mahalo to Russell Sparks Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Maui Hawai‘i C’s Aquaculture Dr. Jennifer E. Smith National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, University of California - Santa Barbara Joylynn Paman Pacific American Foundation for providing the previous images. Mahalo to Russell Sparks Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Maui Hawai‘i C’s Aquaculture Dr. Jennifer E. Smith National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, University of California - Santa Barbara Joylynn Paman Pacific American Foundation for providing the previous images.