Top predator sea stars are the benthic equivalent to polar bears of the pelagic realm
Rémi Amiraux, David J. Yurkowski, Philippe Archambault, Marie Pierrejean, C. J. Mundy
Abstract
The marine pelagic compartment spans numerous trophic levels and consists of numerous reticulate connections between species from primary producers to iconic apex predators, while the benthic compartment is perceived to be simpler in structure and comprised of only low trophic level species. Here, we challenge this paradigm by illustrating that the benthic compartment is home to a subweb of similar structure and complexity to that of the pelagic realm, including the benthic equivalent to iconic polar bears: megafaunal-predatory sea stars.
Topics & Concepts
Pelagic zoneBenthic zoneTrophic levelApex predatorEcologyPredationBiologyOceanographyGeologyMarine animal studies overviewMarine and coastal plant biologyCephalopods and Marine Biology