Feeding ecology of a size-structured predator population, the South American sun-star Heliaster helianthus

Tokeshi, Mutsunori; Estrella, Carlota; Paredes, Carlos

doi:10.1007/bf00394826

Cited by 27 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Maximum densities of M. glacialis and of crustacean predators, perhaps surprisingly, co-occurred in the immediate subtidal. However, we found that M. glacialis, like other juvenile asteroids behave cryptically in the structurally complex boulder environment (Tokeshi et al, 1989;Arrontes & Underwood, 1991;De'ath & Moran, 1998), with all juveniles being found in boulder interstices and crevices. Not only could such behaviour protect juveniles from large crustacean predators, but it may also serve to conceal them from overhead predators such as gulls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Structural dynamics of a sea-star (Marthasterias glacialis) population

et al. 2003

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The dynamics and feeding biology of a population of Marthasterias glacialis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) was examined over a two-year period from 2000^2002 at Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve, Co. Cork, Ireland. A multivariate approach was used and both multiple factors and multiple interactions between factors were found to in£uence population structure. These included time of year, site, individual sea-star size, depth, and predator density. Individuals belonging to the smallest size-classes (0^50 mm and 51^100 mm) were most abundant amongst boulders in shallow water (0^1m), while larger individuals were primarily found in water below 1m in depth on ¢ner grade substratum and shell debris. Dietary composition was also found to di¡er with depth; sea-stars in the immediate subtidal had an opportunistic diet, and fed on a variety of taxa, whilst those M. glacialis from 1^6 m were more selective and restrictive, feeding chie£y on bivalve prey. We propose that spatial partitioning of di¡erent size-classes and a generalist feeding strategy may account for the success of M. glacialis at Lough Hyne.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Structural dynamics of a sea-star (Marthasterias glacialis) population

et al. 2003

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“…At many sites in central Chile, this species plays a key role in the structure of intertidal communities by controlling the abundance of the competitively dominant mussel Perumytilus purpuratus (Paine et al 1985, Navarrete & Castilla 2003). Although mussels are preferred prey, the diet of H. helianthus also includes a wide variety of sessile and mobile species, including barnacles, tunicates, limpets, sea urchins, snails and chitons (Castilla 1981, Paine et al 1985, Tokeshi et al 1989, Navarret & Manzur 2008. At sites where mussels and barnacles are scarce, limpets and chitons become the main food source for H. helianthus (Navarrete & Manzur 2008, Barahona & Navarrete 2010.…”

Section: The Predator-prey Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk recognition and variability in escape responses among intertidal molluskan grazers to the sun star Heliaster helianthus

Escobar¹,

Navarrete

2011

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…m 2 and < 0.5 ind. m 2 , respectively, in northern Chile (Dayton et al 1977, Tokeshi et al 1989, Gaymer & Himmelman 2008, Navarrete & Manzur 2008. H. helianthus has a robust and flattened body with as many as 40 arms and can attain up to 32 cm in diameter (Tokeshi et al 1989).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sea urchin Tetrapygus niger distribution on elevated surfaces represents a strategy for avoiding predatory sea stars

Urriago¹,

Himmelman²,

Gaymer³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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We ran field experiments to examine whether the micro-distribution of the sea urchin Tetrapygus niger on elevated surfaces represents a strategy for limiting predation by the sea stars Heliaster helianthus and Meyenaster gelatinosus. Several lines of evidence supported this hypothesis. (1) A survey of the distribution of the urchin and the 2 sea stars showed that urchins occur mainly on elevated surfaces, and sea stars on low surfaces. (2) In trials involving simulated attacks, the time needed by the urchin to sever contact with the sea stars was 48% less on elevated surfaces than on the bottom. (3) In trials involving sustained simulated attacks (high predatory risk) the urchins could detach themselves from the elevated surfaces to avoid being eaten. Finally, tethering experiments indicated that the urchin had a higher survival rate on elevated than low surfaces. Our observations indicate that M. gelatinosus represents a stronger predatory threat to T. niger than H. helianthus.

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Feeding ecology of a size-structured predator population, the South American sun-star Heliaster helianthus

Cited by 27 publications

References 29 publications

Structural dynamics of a sea-star (Marthasterias glacialis) population

Structural dynamics of a sea-star (Marthasterias glacialis) population

Risk recognition and variability in escape responses among intertidal molluskan grazers to the sun star Heliaster helianthus

Sea urchin Tetrapygus niger distribution on elevated surfaces represents a strategy for avoiding predatory sea stars

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