Northern Pacific Seastar Reproductive Output in the Derwent River Estuary, SE Tasmania

A 2026 dataset from the Australian Ocean Data Network quantifies the reproductive potential of the invasive northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) in the Derwent River estuary, SE Tasmania. It is based on a large-scale survey and a spatially explicit fertilization model, using zygote production as a measure of reproductive output. The data highlights that seastars at anthropogenic structures, representing less than 10% of the population, may contribute over 80% of total larval production.

Use Cases

• Modeling larval dispersal and population spread based on simulated zygote production.
• Assessing the impact of anthropogenic structures (wharves and marinas) on invasive species fecundity.
• Comparing reproductive output between wharf 'hotspot' sites and control sites.
• Informing management strategies for invasive seastars based on spatial distribution and reproductive potential.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a large-scale survey in the Derwent estuary, with sampling depths to 27 meters.
• Findings are quantified with specific modeled predictions, such as wharf hotspots contributing over 80% of larval production.
• Reproductive output is simulated using a spatially explicit model based on empirical estimates of adult parameters.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the single estuary study site.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au

Collection Method

Large scale survey and spatially explicit fertilization model developed by A. Morris and C. Johnson.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-13 21:04:47.250009; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Derwent River estuary, south eastern Tasmania, Australia