Feeding and Distribution Study of the Sunflower Sea Star Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt, 1835)

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1983-04

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University of Hawai'i Press

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Observations are reported on the feeding biology of Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt) in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, in areas of differing wave exposure . Three hundred asteroids were examined; 220 were feeding on prey representing II taxa , with heaviest predation on gastropods, bivalves, and crustaceans. P. helianthoides found on soft substrates were larger than those inhabiting hard substrates. Juvenile sea stars (< 5 cm diameter) were found primarily at protected sites often on kelp substrate. The observed size distributions of P. helianthoides may be the result of the nature of food resources available in different habitats. Significant positive correlations were obtained between sea star size and prey size except in the case of the gastropod Tegula pulligo. The possible importance of sea star predation on this snail is discussed.

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Shivji M, ParkerD , Hartwick B, Smith MJ, Sloan NA. 1983. Feeding and distribution study of the sunflower sea star Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt, 1835). Pac Sci 37(2): 133-140.

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