arctic’s Unexpected Apex Predator Revealed: Deep-Sea Starfish Dominate Benthic Food Webs
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – While polar bears and orcas often capture attention as Arctic apex predators, groundbreaking research reveals a less conspicuous, yet equally dominant, hunter thriving in the ocean depths: starfish belonging to the Pterasteridae family. A new study underscores the critical role these starfish play in structuring benthic-or seafloor-food chains across nearly all marine ecosystems, suggesting they may be among the ocean’s most successful predators.
The research highlights the often-overlooked importance of bottom-dwelling organisms in maintaining the health and balance of Arctic marine life. Understanding the feeding habits of Pterasteridae starfish is crucial as climate change rapidly alters Arctic ecosystems, potentially disrupting these foundational food web dynamics. The implications extend beyond the Arctic, as similar starfish behaviors in other marine environments could indicate a widespread, underestimated predatory influence globally.
These starfish, observed by researchers from the national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), demonstrate a remarkable ability to thrive in diverse marine settings. Their predatory success stems from their position at the base of the food chain, impacting the abundance and distribution of numerous benthic species. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate benthic food web considerations into broader Arctic ecosystem assessments and conservation efforts.
“This work…highlights the importance of taking into consideration the importance of benthic food chains,” researchers noted, underscoring the need for a more holistic view of Arctic predation. Further investigation is planned to determine if these predatory behaviors are consistent across different marine environments, potentially solidifying the Pterasteridae family’s status as a globally meaningful predator.
