We propose that the reported dearth of $Kepler$ Objects of Interest (KOIs) with orbital periods $P_{ \rm orb} \lesssim 2-3\;$days around stars with rotation periods $P_{ \rm rot} \lesssim 5-10\;$days can be attributed to tidal ingestion of close-in planets by their host stars. We show that the planet distribution in this region of the $\log{ P_{ \rm orb}}-\log{ P_{ \rm rot}}$ plane is qualitatively reproduced with a model that incorporates tidal interaction and magnetic braking as well as the dependence on the stellar core--envelope coupling timescale. We demonstrate the consistency of this scenario with the inferred break in the $P_{ \rm orb}$ distribution of close-in KOIs and point out a potentially testable prediction of this interpretation.
Categories: astro-ph.EP astro-ph.SR