Comparative anatomy and biology of two species of the asteroid genus pisaster

• Main Author: Mayer, Norman William
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholarly Commons 1963
• Subjects: Starfishes; Biology; Life Sciences
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/1548; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2547&context=uop_etds

Interest in the endemic Pisaster was first aroused by the great variation of external color in Pisaster ochraceus. This in turn led to observations of the diversity of the spinous patterns of this sea star. Following the suggestion of Dr. Jool D. hedgepeth it was decided to make an extensive comparison of the common species of Pisaster. Detailed comparison between Pisaster brevispinus and Pisaster ochraceus have been made only by Fisher (1930) and Verrill (1914). Both of these investigators restricted their observations largely to the endoskeleton and its calcareous protuberances. In addition to analyzing the work of Fisher, an attempt to differentiate between the two species regarding behaviour, tolerances, gross anatomy and natural history has been made. In addition some mention of the relationships with other members of the family Asteriidae is recorded in this study.