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Grab & Go NAME: Ochre Sea Star CLASSIFICATION: Pisaster ochraceous; phylum Echinodermata Main Messages: Over harvesting and climate change are challenging the ecosystem’s stability and productivity. Cold, nutrient-rich water wells up seasonally from the deep water along our coast and fertilizes surface waters; phytoplankton bloom in profusion, forming the base of food web. Climate change may bring changes to currents, water temperature, and salinity that could disrupt upwelling DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: With worldwide distribution, ochre sea stars are found primarily in the intertidal zone and are very common along the California coast. DESCRIPTION AND DIET: Like all echinoderms, sea stars have tube feet operated by their internal water vascular system. Used for locomotion and feeding, as well for strong attachment to the substrate, each tube foot has a sucker at the end. The sea star internal skeleton is made of interlocking plates, allowing flexing in any direction. At the end of each arm are specialized tentacles sensitive to touch and chemicals, and eyespots that detect light. Tiny pincers (pedicellariae) on the sea star surface can trap and remove parasites. Important predators of the marine ecosystem, sea stars are voracious carnivores, feeding primarily on shellfish and barnacles. They can extrude their stomachs between valves of prey (e.g. bivalves) and digest flesh externally. PREDATORS: Sea stars have few natural predators, though they may be taken by wolf eels, gulls and sea otters. REPRODUCTION: Sexes are separate and sea stars reproduce sexually, broadcasting gametes into the water. Larval stages are planktonic. Grab & Go LIFE SPAN AND CONSERVATION: Life span can be 20 years. Sea stars are potentially threatened, of course, by the same effects of climate change and ocean warming as all other marine life. INTERESTING FACTS: Sea stars are capable of regeneration. If an injured sea star retains its central disk and at least one arm, the complete animal can regenerate. Like most echinoderms, it can absorb nutrients from the water across its body surface. The ochre sea star is considered a “keystone species” in the intertidal community. Because it eats so many kinds of intertidal animals and is often very common, it may play the most important role in determining community structure. WHERE IN THE ACADEMY? Sea stars are in the California Coast tank, but especially in the Discovery Tide Pool. C:\CAS GRAB N GO SPECIMENS–OCHER SEA STAR