Pisaster ochraceus

Pisaster ochraceus
	Ganges Harbour, British Columbia
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Echinodermata
Class:	Asteroidea
Order:	Forcipulatida
Family:	Asteriidae
Genus:	Pisaster
Species:	P. ochraceus
Binomial name
	Pisaster ochraceus; (Brandt, 1835)

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.^[2]

^ Christopher Mah (2010). Mah CL (ed.). "Pisaster ochraceus (Brandt, 1835)". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
^ Power, M. E.; Tilman, D.; Estes, J. A.; Menge, B. A.; Bond, W. J.; Mills, L. S.; Daily, G.; Castilla, J. C.; Lubchenco, J.; Paine, R. T. (1996). "Challenges in the Quest for Keystones". BioScience. 46 (8): 609–620. doi:10.2307/1312990. JSTOR 1312990.

[1] Christopher Mah (2010). Mah CL (ed.). "Pisaster ochraceus (Brandt, 1835)". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved February 1, 2012.

[Power1996-2] Power, M. E.; Tilman, D.; Estes, J. A.; Menge, B. A.; Bond, W. J.; Mills, L. S.; Daily, G.; Castilla, J. C.; Lubchenco, J.; Paine, R. T. (1996). "Challenges in the Quest for Keystones". BioScience. 46 (8): 609–620. doi:10.2307/1312990. JSTOR 1312990.

[1]

[2]