Sean Lee Kuan Shern
- WorldFish’s Dr. John Benzie received recognition for his groundbreaking genetic studies on crown-of-thorns seastars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
- By clearly differentiating the various species of coral-eating crown-of-thorns seastars, researchers will now be able to do more thorough studies into the dynamics of mass breakouts, leading to improved management of reef ecosystems in the long run.
A crown-of-thorns seastar native to the Red Sea was this week named after WorldFish’s John Benzie in recognition of his groundbreaking genetic studies on crown-of-thorns seastars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The seastar, named Acanthaster benziei, has now been identified as a distinct species by a team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München's Gert Wörheide, professor of paleontology and geobiology and Gerhard Haszprunar, professor of systematic zoology, using morphological studies and genetic analyses.
“This is really a great honor. Being recognized for the work I’ve done several years ago is truly humbling,” said John Benzie, acting director of aquatic foods biosciences at WorldFish.
Crown-of-thorns seastars (Acanthaster spp.) can be found all over the Indo-Pacific region. Their enormous, poisonous spines that stick out from their arms are how they got their moniker.
In some regions of the Indo-Pacific region, the coral-eating crown-of-thorns seastars pose one of the greatest threats to tropical coral reefs as they primarily feed on the polyps of fast-growing stony corals.
Delivering impactful work that benefits humanity
“On behalf of everyone here at WorldFish and the wider scientific community, I would like to congratulate John Benzie on this significant recognition. It is indeed an immense privilege for all of us at WorldFish to call him our colleague," said Essam Yassin Mohammed, interim director general at WorldFish.
"This will indeed inspire us all to continue our pursuit of scientific excellence and deliver impactful work that benefits humanity,” added Mohammed who is also acting senior director of aquatic food systems at CGIAR.
By clearly differentiating the various species of coral-eating crown-of-thorns seastars, researchers will now be able to do more thorough studies into the dynamics of mass breakouts, one of the several stressors that influence tropical reefs, leading to improved management of reef ecosystems in the long run.