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Pisaster brevispinus - Short-spined sea star
Geographic range:
Alaska to San Diego, California
Key features:
Light pink color, short spines and thick rays.
Similar species:
Pisaster giganteus -- Giant-spined star
Pisaster ochraceus -- Ochre star
Evasterias troschelii -- False Ochre Star
Habitat(s):
bay (rocky shore), bay (sandy shore), exposed rocky shore, exposed sandy beaches, kelp forest, protected rocky shore, protected sandy beaches
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Primary common name:
Short-spined sea star |
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ITIS code:
157252 |
Synonymous name(s):
-- |
General grouping:
Sea stars, urchins, cucumbers, sand dollars, brittle stars |
| Geographic Range |
Range description:
Sitka, Alaska to Mission Bay in San Diego, California. |
Northern latitude extent:
57.027359 |
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Southern latitude extent:
32.763348 |
East longitude extent:
-- |
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West longitude extent:
-- |
| Intertidal Height |
Lowest intertidal height:
meters OR -2 feet |
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Highest intertidal height:
meters OR 0 feet |
Intertidal height notes:
Rarely occurs in the intertidal. |
| Subtidal Depth Range |
Minimum depth:
0 meters OR 0 feet |
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Maximum depth:
150 meters OR feet |
Subtidal depth notes:
More common in the subtidal. One reference lists a maximum depth of 182 m. |
| Habitats |
Habitat(s):
bay (rocky shore), bay (sandy shore), exposed rocky shore, exposed sandy beaches, kelp forest, protected rocky shore, protected sandy beaches |
Habitat notes:
Unlike the other species of Pisaster, Pisaster brevispinus is found both on rocky reefs and outlying sandy areas, including harbors and other soft-sediment habitats. |
| Abundance |
Relative abundance:
Common to uncommon, depending on habitat type. |
| Species Description |
General description:
Pisaster brevispinus, as its name suggests, has short spines. It also has very stocky rays, up to 32 cm long. The color is a very pale pink, and depending on water clarity and lighting conditions can almost appear white. Usually with five rays. |
Distinctive features:
The pink coloring is diagnostic, as are the thick rays and short spines on the aboral surface. |
Size:
Diameter: 65 cm maximum |
| Natural History |
General natural history:
Pisaster brevispinus is found both on sandy and rocky habitats. Unlike its congeners, when in sandy habitats Pisaster brevispinus is able to consume infaunal prey, such as burrowing clams and subsurface gastropods (e.g., the olive snail Callianax [nee Olivella] biplicata). |
Predator(s):
Large adults have relatively few predators, although southern sea otters Enhydra lutris nereis have detached rays to consume the gonads. Sea gulls have also attempted to eat Pisaster brevispinus exposed during very low tides. |
Prey:
On rocky habitats Pisaster brevispinus consumes bivalves, gastropods, barnacles and sessile annelids. On sandy surfaces Pisaster brevispinus may dig after infaunal clams, gastropods, and sand dollars Dendraster excentricus. |
| Feeding behavior |
Feeding behavior(s):
Carnivore, Omnivore, Scavenger |
Feeding behavior notes:
Pisaster brevispinus will scavenge nearby carcasses, but it is also an active predator. |
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| January - May |
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Reproduction:
Gonads begin to develop in the winter and spawning takes place in spring, usually in April. Sexes are separate and fertilization takes place externally. Larvae disperse in the water column. New recruits (to 3 cm diamater) can be seen in summer. |
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Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary:
-- |
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Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary:
-- |
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Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary:
None are known. |
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Listing Status:
-- |
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Monitoring Trends:
-- |
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