https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/senseofplaceriz/new
Since this is the last Inat Journal post we will have for this week I took the liberty of sort of creative and comedic writing on this journal post , I hope you guys enjoy-
Alaskan Adventure – A Star Encounter at Auke Recreational Village
Dear Journal, Today was no ordinary day; it was the day I met the rockstars of Auke Recreational Village’s tidepools. Armed with my boots and a childlike curiosity, I waded through the shallow pools like a cross between Jacques Cousteau and a pirate on a treasure hunt. And oh, what a treasure I found – the enigmatic and somewhat sticky Pisaster ochraceus! Also known as the ochre sea star, it’s the Mick Jagger of the echinoderm world, flaunting its purple hues and spiny, textured skin like a rockstar’s glittery costume. This wasn’t just any star; it was a five-armed wonder, clinging to rocks with the tenacity of a toddler refusing to leave a candy store. It’s rumored that these echinoderms can regrow lost arms, turning catastrophic mishaps into miraculous comebacks, much like a celebrity scandal. But it’s not all about looks; these stars have a grip that would make a wrestling champion envious, thanks to their tube feet that work like a battalion of mini suction cups. Here I was, a tidepool newbie, face to face with a creature that could literally stomach its food outside its body. That’s right – it ejects its stomach like a party trick no one asked for, digesting mussels with a gusto that would put competitive eaters to shame. What an introduction to the wild stars of the sea! A star-studded performance on the rocks, and let me tell you, they didn’t even need a stage. Just the majestic backdrop of Juneau, the soundtrack of waves, and an audience of one, utterly starstruck by the tidal fanfare.
Signing off, a newly minted star gazer.
Why this species of starfish is important to Alaskan marine environments? (Purdue owl style MLA intext and citations)
The ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) plays an essential role in the marine ecosystems of Alaska. Recognized as a keystone species, the ochre sea star exerts a significant impact on its environment, disproportionately larger than its own abundance might suggest. These sea stars are predators of the California mussel (Mytilus californianus), and their predation habits help control the mussel populations. This balance allows other macroinvertebrates to flourish, creating a diverse and robust intertidal community. When the ochre sea stars are absent, the mussel population can become nearly dominant, leading to a decrease in biodiversity in these intertidal zones (Wikipedia).
The importance of the ochre sea star extends beyond the direct predation on mussels. Its feeding habits indirectly provide living spaces and resources for numerous other species, hence contributing to a more dynamic and diversified ecosystem. This starfish's presence ensures that no single species monopolizes the limited space and resources in the tidal zones, thus maintaining the ecological equilibrium (Oregon Conservation Strategy).
Moreover, the ochre sea star has an intriguing reproductive strategy that contributes to its role in the ecosystem. They reproduce through broadcast spawning, where fertilization occurs in the water column, and develop through several larval stages. The juveniles are typically found in the crevices and under rocks in the intertidal zones (Animal Diversity Web).
However, the ochre sea star population faces threats from sea star wasting syndrome, which has significantly reduced their numbers. The syndrome is characterized by lesions, tissue decay, and death, and its outbreaks have caused a decline of 85 to 90% in ochre sea star populations in some areas within just a few months. The decline of this keystone predator can lead to profound ecological consequences, such as the unchecked growth of mussel populations and subsequent biodiversity loss. Research is ongoing to understand the syndrome's causes and mitigate its impacts on sea star populations (Oregon Conservation Strategy).
In summary, the ochre sea star is not only a charismatic symbol of the marine life in Alaska but also a vital player in the health of its coastal ecosystems. Conservation efforts and monitoring of this species are critical to maintaining the diversity and resilience of these marine habitats.
Citations in MLA according to Purdue Owl (Alphabetical Order) -
"ADW: Pisaster ochraceus: INFORMATION." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pisaster_ochraceus/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pisaster_ochraceus/.
"Ochre Sea Star – Oregon Conservation Strategy." Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, www.oregonconservationstrategy.org/strategy-species/ochre-sea-star/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Wikipedia contributors. "Pisaster ochraceus." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Apr. 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisaster_ochraceus.
PS- (As a college student I am aware of the dangers of using Wikipedia as a source but the Inat GUIDELINES for this course require us to use 2 sources , in this case Wikipedia is the 3rd one as there are a total of 3 sources. With that being said Wikipedia can be a starting point for research due to its ease of access and the breadth of knowledge it contains. The references and external links at the bottom of each Wikipedia page can be particularly valuable, directing readers to primary sources and peer-reviewed articles. I checked the information on other websites and it checks out and even asked the important characteristics about the species with my zoology professor but yet I know in general and for those who do not know or not familiar if they were not already - academically speaking, Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source for citation in research papers or academic publications. This is primarily because Wikipedia is a tertiary resource that can be edited by anyone, which may sometimes lead to inaccuracies or unverified information. The only reason I have used it is because the information is valid and checks out and I do not want to NOT cite where I got the info from if that makes sense ?.
Comentarios
Genuinely nice Riz, I appreciate the fanfare you introduced here.
I once had a summer camp student throw a sea star back to the ocean, not knowing that their lead was just underwater beneath it. The sea star got stuck in her hair and the captain of the boat used the moment to instruct the children about the top side of the sea star and why they are so rough to the touch. They did have to cut the sea star out of her hair though, she lost a few strands but at least was not made bald.
True, biodiversity is a large part of species survival and when one completely disappears from an area it often has larger impacts than we ever thought it would.
Hi Riz,
I really enjoyed how well you researched and wrote about your observations! That was such a cool find and thank you for sharing it with us. Apparently, I knew very little about sea stars--until now! While reading your post, I was picturing you looking very heroic wading through the tide pools in the fashion that you described and it made me giggle a bit. When it comes to the sea stars reproducing, I had no idea that it was in the open water like that. I know that they are animals, but, from a human perspective, they have no say over who they have a child with!
Elizabeth
Hi Daniel,
Your comment about the summer camp student genuinely made me laugh. Believe it or not, I also had a similar experience when I was about five or six years old and my mom had to pry the sea star out of my hair. I remember it being pretty difficult, like you said, due to the the roughness of the sea star. I remember it feeling like someone was trying to brush through my hair and it was matted--ouch! At least the student was able to keep most of her hair, though! I agree with both you and Riz about biodiversity being so important and it having such large impacts on species as a whole.
Elizabeth
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