The northern pacific sea star is a particularly successful, invasive species. Which of the following explains why it is so successful in the waters of south, eastern Australia, outside of its native environment?
The northern pacific sea star has no natural predators in the waters of south, eastern Australia, allowing it to dominate and reproduce rapidly.
The success of the northern pacific sea star as an invasive species in the waters of south, eastern Australia can be attributed to a combination of factors:
1. Lack of Natural Predators: In its native environment, the northern pacific sea star has natural predators that help regulate its population. However, in the waters of south, eastern Australia, these natural predators may be absent or present in lower numbers, allowing the sea star to thrive without significant predation pressure.
2. Rapid Reproduction: The northern pacific sea star has a high reproductive capacity, with females capable of producing a large number of eggs. These eggs have a high hatching success rate, leading to the rapid population growth of the species in its non-native environment.
3. Efficient Feeding Habits: The sea star feeds on a variety of prey, including mollusks, which are abundant in the waters of south, eastern Australia. Its ability to consume a wide range of food sources allows it to adapt and exploit available resources, contributing to its success as an invasive species.
4. Tolerance to Environmental Conditions: The northern pacific sea star exhibits a high tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature and salinity variations. This adaptability enables it to occupy diverse habitats and thrive in different regions, including areas outside of its native range.
5. Lack of Competition: One of the reasons the sea star can establish itself successfully in a new environment is the absence of strong competitors. In south, eastern Australia, the native species that could compete with it for resources may be limited or not adapted to compete effectively with the sea star, giving it a competitive advantage.
These factors combined create favorable conditions for the northern pacific sea star to be particularly successful as an invasive species in the waters of south, eastern Australia.
To determine why the northern Pacific sea star (Asterias amurensis) is successful as an invasive species in the waters of south, eastern Australia, we need to examine its characteristics and consider the factors that contribute to its success.
1. Reproductive Strategy: The northern Pacific sea star has a high reproductive capacity, capable of producing large numbers of offspring through broadcast spawning. This means that it releases eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs, leading to the production of numerous larvae.
2. Rapid Growth and Development: The larvae of the northern Pacific sea star have a fast growth rate, allowing them to reach maturity within a few months. This enables the species to establish large populations quickly.
3. Tolerance to Environmental Conditions: The northern Pacific sea star has a wide tolerance for environmental conditions, thriving in a range of temperatures and salinities. This adaptability increases its chance of survival in various habitats.
4. Lack of Natural Predators: In its native range, the northern Pacific sea star has natural predators that help control its populations. However, when introduced into a new environment, it may not face the same predators, allowing it to exploit available resources without significant predation pressure.
5. Altered Ecosystem Dynamics: As an invasive species, the sea star can disrupt the balance of the local ecosystem. By competing with and preying on native species, it may create an ecological imbalance, further enhancing its own success.
To summarize, the success of the northern Pacific sea star as an invasive species in the waters of south, eastern Australia is due to its high reproductive capacity, rapid growth and development, tolerance to various environmental conditions, lack of natural predators, and its potential to disturb local ecosystems.