About Patiria chilensis (Lutken, 1859)
Patiria chilensis is a species of starfish belonging to the family Asterinidae. It is found in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, along the coasts of South America. This is a broadly pentagonal, cushion-shaped starfish with five short arms, and it is classified as a small species. P. chilensis lives in the rocky intertidal zone of temperate seas off the coast of Chile. It is primarily found in the lower algal zone, which is dominated by the kelps Lessonia nigrescens and Durvillaea antarctica, as well as various encrusting coralline algae. Other echinoids that live in this zone include Loxechinus albus and Tetrapygus niger. Starfish in this zone include Stichaster striatus, Meyenaster gelatinosus, and the dominant Heliaster helianthus. These larger starfish are the dominant carnivores in the zone, and they appear to play an important role in maintaining the local community structure. In addition to preying on sessile organisms, P. chilensis is an opportunistic feeder that scavenges for dead animal matter and detritus. To avoid being preyed on by larger starfish, P. chilensis typically stays in concealed locations. Unlike many other starfish species native to this area, P. chilensis is not known to intentionally shed its arms. However, its arms may sometimes be amputated, likely by feeding fish. When arm amputation occurs, P. chilensis cannot regenerate the lost arm, but its thick skin closes over the wound to heal it. Like other echinoderms, this species can be harmed by pollution. In 1975, the opening of a new sea outlet from a copper mine at Caleta Palito in Chile caused mass mortality of Patiria chilensis, along with the starfish Stichaster striatus and Meyenaster gelatinosus, and the sea urchin Tetrapygus niger, which disappeared entirely from the area.
