Berenice Baca

My research focuses on the life history and reproductive behavior of a small six-rayed star Leptasterias. Successful rearing methods have produced healthy Leptasterias adults nearing two years of age, marking the first time this has ever been reported.

Asteroid sea stars in the cryptic species complex Leptasterias use a remarkable mode of brood-fostering. These tiny intertidal stars have limited dispersal as they produce a small number of large, yolky eggs that develop with maternal protection. For about 2 months, 50-1500 embryos develop under the female stomach while she apparently forgoes feeding. Culturing Leptasterias embryos has proven to be extremely difficult as studies on the development of brood-caring sea stars are rare. This study focuses on the life history and reproductive behavior of three species of the small six-rayed sea star Leptasterias: L.hexactis, L. pusilla and L. aequalis. Field collections were carried out primarily in central CA with some comparison to locations in San Juan Island, WA. Lab observations include early development, juvenile diet, and lab-rearing set-up. In the lab, juvenile stars consumed frozen squid, mussels, copepods, juvenile Littorina, Lacuna, Tegula, limpets, and barnacles. From these food choices, Littorina snails are currently the most convenient food source for lab-rearing.