What is Pisaster Ochraceus and why is it considered a keystone species?
The starfish Pisaster ochraceus is a keystone species in the rocky marine intertidal communities off the northwest coast of North America. This predatory starfish feeds on the mussel Mytilus californianus and is responsible for maintaining much of the local diversity of species within certain communities.
Are purple sea star endangered?
Oregon State University. “Sea star listed as critically endangered.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 December 2020.
Where is the Pisaster Ochraceus found?
Pacific Ocean
Pisaster ochraceus, generally known as the purple sea star, ochre sea star, or ochre starfish, is a common starfish found among the waters of the Pacific Ocean….
| Pisaster ochraceus | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Forcipulatida |
| Family: | Asteriidae |
| Genus: | Pisaster |
| Species: | P. ochraceus |
What type of consumer is the Pisaster Ochraceus?
keystone
The starfish Pisaster ochraceus is a keystone species in the rocky marine intertidal communities off the northwest coast of North America. This predatory starfish feeds on the mussel Mytilus californianus and is responsible for maintaining much of the local diversity of species within certain communities.
Are purple starfish rare?
Are they common? A. These lovely colored, celestially- shaped animals are fairly common from Cape Hatteras southward. Technically, the purple variety you found is the margined sea star Astropecten articulatus.
Are there any other species of Pisaster ochraceus?
Two species that can be mistaken for P. ochraceus are P. giganteus, which has blue rings around white or purple spines, and P. brevispinus, which is pink with small white spines. These two species have different aboral spines and coloration which allows one to distinguish between the species.
How long does a Pisaster ochraceus sea star live?
Many sea stars live to a minimal age of four years. The Pisaster ochraceus could live as long as twenty years.
What is the role of Pisaster ochraceus in the ecosystem?
Ecosystem Roles Pisaster ochraceous is a predator and is a prey to sea otters and sea gulls. Its role as a keystone species has been well studied. In intertidal areas of Washington, when it was removed, the diversity of species in the area decreased.
Why is Pisaster ochraceus considered a keystone species?
Pisaster ochraceus has been described as a keystone species. Experiments by zoologist Robert T. Paine in the 1960s demonstrated that a loss of only a few individual Pisaster seastars had a profound impact on mussel bed population, thereby reducing the health of the intertidal environment.
