 BANWA VOL. 10, NO. 1 (2013): 33–49 Spatio-temporal Distribution and Abundance of Crown-of-Torns Starfsh (Acanthaster planci L.) in Tree Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around the Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines Raquel B. Agustin and Cleto L. Nañola Jr.* Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City 8022, Philippines. *Corresponding author. Email: tingnanola@yahoo.com. Telephone: +63 82 293 0302. Received 25 July 2012; Revised 13 May 2013; Accepted 31 May 2013 Abstract Te spatial and temporal distribution of crown-of-thorns starfsh or COTS (Acanthaster planci L.) was investigated in three marine protected areas (MPAs) around the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Philippines, from December 2008 to December 2009. Methods include photo quadrat for the live coral cover and belt transect for the density of COTS and its predators. Tere was a signifcant diference in the spatial distribution of COTS among MPAs. Sanipaan Marine Park (SMP) had the highest COTS density while Coral Garden and Aundanao MPAs had the least. Variability of COTS density was attributed to percent coral cover and human intervention (i.e., COTS clean-up drive). At temporal scale, only data from SMP ftted for the analysis. Tere was no signifcant diference observed during the sampling periods conducted in April, August, and November 2009. Te results suggest longer time of monitoring to cover the life span of COTS, taking into consideration the probable causes for infestation, whether anthropogenic (i.e., harvesting leading to mass spawning) or natural. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of COTS depends on the abundance of their preferred food while the temporal distribution is probably infuenced by environmental conditions over time. Keywords: Acanthaster planci; spatio-temporal distribution; Davao Gulf; marine protected areas Abbreviations: ANOVA – analysis of variance COTS – crown-of-thorns starfsh MPAs – marine protected areas SMP – Sanipaan Marine Park IGaCoS – Island Garden City of Samal