List the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis) on CITES

The issue

Starfish - Predator or Prey
The attack of the triton elicits an escape response by the starfish which, if successful, results in rapid prey dispersion with the loss of only a few arms. The escape response varies in its successfulness and is heavily dependent on (1) size and hunger of predator, (2) prey size and degree of cumulative prey injury and (3) physical composition and relief of substrate. If the escape response is unsuccessful then the predator feeds on the starfish until the prey is either consumed (large predator-small prey) or discarded (small predator-large prey). Charonia tritonis will follow the scent of an injured starfish and resume the attack and subsequent feeding if hungry.

When either one of the two sensory tentacles of Charonia has touched the spine of a large specimen of Acanthaster, the gastropod raises the anterior region of the foot sufficiently high above the substrate to allow it to pass over the spines of the closest three arms of the starfish. When this has occurred, the proboscis of the gastropod is extended and as the foot descends on the aboral surface of the starfish, the proboscis probes the surface between the spines, in an orderly manner, and subsequently extends in excess of 250mm as it reaches over the aboral surface and back under the oral surface while the proboscis tip attempts to penetrate the heavily armored mouth of the starfish. This is achieved by a combination of physical radula abrasion and chemical attack.

Check out the Beaver Reef video.

 

avatar of the starter
John PatersonPetition starterThe giant triton (Charonia tritonis) is a beautiful shell and a well known predator of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). In many parts of the third world, it is still being collected in large numbers and sold to tourists as ornaments. As you admire the beautiful shell, spare a thought for the hungry mollusk that died. And don't forget, they live on starfish. Many species of starfish are known to outbreak in different parts of the world. Prior to human collection, the giant triton might have controlled starfish numbers not by eating the many, but by preventing the aggregation that precedes the outbreak. At present, little is known of any aspect of the triton's ecology despite it's obvious importance in controlling starfish numbers.
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The issue

Starfish - Predator or Prey
The attack of the triton elicits an escape response by the starfish which, if successful, results in rapid prey dispersion with the loss of only a few arms. The escape response varies in its successfulness and is heavily dependent on (1) size and hunger of predator, (2) prey size and degree of cumulative prey injury and (3) physical composition and relief of substrate. If the escape response is unsuccessful then the predator feeds on the starfish until the prey is either consumed (large predator-small prey) or discarded (small predator-large prey). Charonia tritonis will follow the scent of an injured starfish and resume the attack and subsequent feeding if hungry.

When either one of the two sensory tentacles of Charonia has touched the spine of a large specimen of Acanthaster, the gastropod raises the anterior region of the foot sufficiently high above the substrate to allow it to pass over the spines of the closest three arms of the starfish. When this has occurred, the proboscis of the gastropod is extended and as the foot descends on the aboral surface of the starfish, the proboscis probes the surface between the spines, in an orderly manner, and subsequently extends in excess of 250mm as it reaches over the aboral surface and back under the oral surface while the proboscis tip attempts to penetrate the heavily armored mouth of the starfish. This is achieved by a combination of physical radula abrasion and chemical attack.

Check out the Beaver Reef video.

 

avatar of the starter
John PatersonPetition starterThe giant triton (Charonia tritonis) is a beautiful shell and a well known predator of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). In many parts of the third world, it is still being collected in large numbers and sold to tourists as ornaments. As you admire the beautiful shell, spare a thought for the hungry mollusk that died. And don't forget, they live on starfish. Many species of starfish are known to outbreak in different parts of the world. Prior to human collection, the giant triton might have controlled starfish numbers not by eating the many, but by preventing the aggregation that precedes the outbreak. At present, little is known of any aspect of the triton's ecology despite it's obvious importance in controlling starfish numbers.
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

The Director, Wildlife Trade Regulation Section, Department of the Environment
The Director, Wildlife Trade Regulation Section, Department of the Environment
CITES regarding the Giant Triton (Charonia tritonis).

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Petition created on 29 September 2015