Pisaster ochraceus does this-but its not really seen in the other Pisaster species. The trick to eating a mussel is getting the mussel's shells open. “Wow, this is what I have been looking for,” he thought. Pisaster ochraceous feeds on mussels, chitons, and limpets, which they slowly pry open and devour. Pisaster, which is an active predator, loves to eat mussels. 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. In addition, some species, such as the northeastern Pacific Pisaster ochraceus , are ecologically significant predators in a broad range of environments, from sheltered lagoons to the most wave-exposed shorelines. Its arms are relatively short (R/r = 2.7 to 4.1) * Although its common name implies that it is most often purple, it is as likely to be some shade of orange or brown but never pink. Pisaster brevispinus is pink with small, white spines and is a low intertidal to subtidal species (Morris et al. If you've ever tried to do this, you know it's not an easy feat. They, like other ectotherms, depend on external sources to regulate their body temperature. Identified as a keystone species, P. ochraceus is considered an important indicator for the health of the intertidal zone. The trick to eating a mussel is getting the mussel's shells open. Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)KINGDOM Animalia PHYLUM Echinodermata CLASS Asteroidea ORDER Forcipulatida FAMILY Asteriidae Ochre Sea Stars are relatively large sea stars, with five arms and a rough surface, the short spines on the upper surface arranged in wavy patterns. To eat its typical diet of mussels, clams, snails, barnacles and sea urchins, the ochre sea star grips the shell of its prey with its tube feet and slowly pulls it open. Its arms are relatively short (R/r = 2.7 to 4.1)* Although its common name implies that it is most often purple, it is as likely to be some shade of orange or brown but never pink. While the tide pool habitat provides shelter to small sea creatures, it's also the hunting ground for a … Natural History Pisaster, however, is well-equipped to break into its prey. Ochre sea stars (or Pisaster ochraceus), eat mostly barnacles and mussels and these key factor in their diet makes them a keystone species — or a species that has a huge impact on its ecosystem. Harley et al. Harley et al. Pisaster ochraceus occurs in a variety of colors; the major hues being orange, brown, and purple. Pisaster ochraceus occurs in a variety of colors; the major hues being orange, brown, and purple. Nor is it seen in the east coast Asterias, which is also a bivalve predator (although I'm not sure if its mussels). The tide washes out to sea, leaving the ocean's life-giving water amid the sand, pebbles and rocks on the shore. Along the rock faces, the low tide exposed bands of small acorn barnacles, and large, stalked goose barnacles, beds of black California mussels, and some very large, purple and orange starfish, called Pisaster ochraceus. Ochre Sea Star: Pisaster Ochraceus A study found that Pisaster ochraceus will not be affected by ocean acidification in the same way as most marine animals. Habitat description While Asterias amurensis (northern Pacific seastar) prefers waters temperatures of 7-10°C, it has adapted to warmer Australian waters of 22°C. There are two other, mostly subtidal, local species of Pisaster (Pisaster giganteus and Pisaster brevispinus) but they have different aboral spines and coloration which allows one to distinguish between the species. Though the purple starfish (Pisaster ochraceus) got its name for its varying shades of purple, the attractive echinoderm's coloration may also be orange, yellow or brown. Pisaster ochraceus The Purple Sea star is a medium size animal found on rocky shores where it feeds primarily on barnacles. In those tide pools, a variety of life abounds, from mussels to crabs to tiny fish. Pisaster, which is an active predator, loves to eat mussels. The Pisaster ochraceus could reach an age of 20 years. Many sea stars live to a minimal age of four years. 1980). Snails, barnacles, echinoids, even decapod crustacea are also eaten. Purple Sea Star Pisaster ochraceus The Purple Sea star is a medium size animal found on rocky shores where it feeds primarily on barnacles. The purple starfish or ochre sea star is found in the rocky shorelines of the Pacific Ocean from Prince William Sound, Alaska, to Baja, California. In addition to its colorful hue, this large, sturdy echinoderm is known for its healthy shellfish appetite and its ability to live for hours in oxygen-rich shallow water. Pisaster definition is - a genus of large shallow-water typically 5-rayed starfishes (family Asteriidae) including the common purple or orange starfish (P. ochraceus) of the Pacific coast of North America. Nor is it seen in the east coast Asterias, which is also a bivalve predator (although I'm not sure if its mussels). The starfish Pisaster ochraceus is a keystone species in the rocky marine intertidal communities off the northwest coast of North America. Evasterias troschelii has longer, more slender arms than P. ochraceus, and spines on the central part of the disk do not form a star-shaped pattern. Starfish are invertebrates belonging to the echinoderm phylum and commonly live as long as twenty years, despite many sea stars living to a minimal age of four years.