Pisaster Ochraceus (Ochre Sea Star)

Description:

• Identified as a keystone species.
• Range in 10 to 25 centimeters in size.
• Endoskeleton
• RadialSymmetry
• Ill- defined central disk.

Taxonomy:

• Animalia
• Echinodermata
• Asteroidea
• Forcipulatida
• Asteriidae
• Pisaster
• P. Ochraceus

Ecology/ Features:

• Considered important indicator for the health of the intertidal zone.
• Ususally on mussel beds and on wave washed rocky shores.
• Found along the Pacific coastline.
• Only a few natural predators.
• Only a few natural predators.
• Feed on plankton, chitons, limpets, snails, and barnacles.