The Crown-Of-Thorns Sea Star, Acanthaster Planci, Preys on the Flesh

Multiple Choice

The crown-of-thorns sea star, Acanthaster planci, preys on the flesh of live coral. At times, these sea stars undergo poorly understood population explosions. What impact should such explosions have on those sea slugs that bear cerata (cerata contain nematocysts) ? Population explosions of this sea star should

A) benefit sea slugs by distracting their prey.
B) benefit sea slugs by helping subdue their prey.
C) harm sea slugs by competing with them for food.
D) harm sea slugs by consuming them as food.
E) harm sea slugs by fouling the water with their feces.