Variable energy storage and growth in the sea star Pisaster ochraceus

The complete data set describes environmentally based variation in size-specific energy storage (dry mass pyloric caeca/dry body mass) and growth of live mass of the intertidal sea star Pisaster ochraceus in British Columbia, Canada. Variation in energy storage and live mass correspond to (1) naturally occurring or (2) experimentally induced changes in the zonation of their prey, the sea mussel Mytilus californianus and associated species. The relevant features of mussel zonation are the depth (vertical distance from a fixed tidal datum) of the lower boundary and the species/size composition of the lower boundary. Downward extensions of the boundaries comprised of masses of relatively young mussels incurred the greatest increases in energy storage and live mass.

Data are presented in 4 files:

(1) Energy storage - Observational study. Variation in energy storage at three sites sampled at irregular intervals from 2008 to 2014. Variables include live mass, dry mass of viscera, and dr...