Less Common Sea Stars (Phylum: Echinodermata)

Description: Due to sea star wasting syndrome among other environmental factors, there are several species of sea star that are no longer commonly seen as Haystack Rock. Bat stars (Patiria miniata), Leather stars (Dermasterias imbricata), and sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides), could be found in the intertidal zone at Haystack Rock prior to the introduction of wasting in 2013, but are very rarely found today. There is hope that as the sea star population recovers, these species will return. Bat stars can come in a variety of colors from gray to blue to purple or red, but all color variations have 5 arms that look like they are webbed. Leather stars have a similar appearance, but they do not have webbed arms and they are usually a mottled red, pink, or orange color. Sunflower stars are easy to distinguish from other species because of their large number of arms. Sunflower stars are one of the largest sea stars in the world and can grow up to 1 meter across. Unfortunately this species was one of the most heavily effected by wasting. A decline in all three of these stars has an impact on their ecosystems. As apex predators, sea stars help keep prey species like urchins and mussels in control. A decrease in sea stars has cause an over population of other species in some areas on the West Coast.

Habitat: Bat stars, leather stars, and sunflower stars can all be are found in intertidal and subtidal zones. Bat stars range from Alaska to the Gulf of California in Mexico, while leather stars and sunflower stars range from Alaska to Southern California.

Diet: Bat stars eat urchins, among other invertebrates, and decaying organic material. Leather stars eat sea anemones, urchins, sea cucumbers, sponges, and chitons. Sunflower stars have a reputation for being voracious predators and will eat a variety of foods including urchins, other sea stars, and occasionally even seabirds.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Sunflower stars are the fastest moving sea star found in Oregon. They can travel more than 350 feet per hour, which is more than 12 times faster than a leather star (the 2nd fastest star).

• The leather star is said to smell like fresh garlic.

• All sea stars pump water through their body via a ”hydro-vascular system” that allows them to move their tube feet and walk.

Reference:

Sunflower stars: NOAA, Oregon Conservation Strategy

Bat stars: Biodiversity of the Central Coast, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Leather stars: Biodiversity of the Central Coast, Vic High Marine