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The predatory behavior of Pisaster ochraceus (Brandt)

Author

David A. Jillson, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

1973

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Department

Marine Sciences

First Advisor

Steven Obrebski

First Committee Member

Edward H Smith

Second Committee Member

Victor Loosanoff

Abstract

The persistence of predator-prey systems in evolutionar time is a function of the efficiency with which the predator obtains its food, and the ability of the prey to avoid ex- tinction. One of the important components of survival of the system is environmental heterogeneity (Huffaker 1958).

Along rocky intertidal regions of the northern Pacific coast of North America, a major predator, the starfish Pisast ochraceus has a dominant effect upon patterns of distribution of many intertidal organisms (Paine 1966). Likewise, the distribution of intertidal fauna exert an effect upon the activities of Pisaster. Other biological interactions such an grazing activities of limpets and predatory behavior of emails also affect the intertidal distribution of species (Connell 1961, 1970, Dayton 1971).

Pages

155

Recommended Citation

Jillson, David A.. (1973). The predatory behavior of Pisaster ochraceus (Brandt). University of the Pacific, Thesis. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/1794