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The concept of the keystone species was introduced in 1969 by zoologist Robert T. Paine. [1] [2] Paine developed the concept to explain his observations and experiments on the relationships between marine invertebrates of the intertidal zone (between the high and low tide lines), including starfish and mussels.
Robert Treat "Bob" Paine III (April 13, 1933 – June 13, 2016) was an American ecologist who spent most of his career at the University of Washington.Paine coined the keystone species [1] [2] [3] concept to explain the relationship between Pisaster ochraceus, a species of starfish, and Mytilus californianus, a species of mussel.
Starfish are keystone species in their respective marine communities. Their relatively large sizes, diverse diets and ability to adapt to different environments makes them ecologically important. [64] The term "keystone species" was in fact first used by Robert Paine in 1966 to describe a starfish, Pisaster ochraceus. [65]
Pisaster ochraceus, generally known as the purple sea star, ochre sea star, or ochre starfish, is a common seastar found among the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Identified as a keystone species , P. ochraceus is considered an important indicator for the health of the intertidal zone .
Since the 1960s, a remnant population of sea otters has revived Monterey Bay. But they can't migrate north throughout their historic range without human help.
Paine first established the concept of a keystone species by studying the sea star. Robert Paine (1969) first came up with the concept of a keystone species while studying the effects of the predatory sea star Pisaster ochraceus, on the abundance of the herbivorous gastropod, Tegula funebralis.
Pisaster (from Greek πίσος, "pea", and ἀστήρ, "star" [1]) is a genus of Pacific sea stars that includes three species, P. brevispinus, P. giganteus, and P. ochraceus. Their range extends along the Pacific coast from Alaska to southern California in the intertidal zone.
For decades, scientists theorized a starfish didn’t have heads. A new study finds that they might, in fact, only have heads.