Unlocking the Mystery: How Scientists Discovered the Cause Behind the Death of Over 5 Billion Sea Stars

Scientists have cracked the case behind the death of over 5 billion sea stars on the Pacific coast. This mystery has puzzled researchers for years.

Sea stars, commonly known as starfish, have a vibrant appearance, showcasing colors from orange to shades of purple and green. However, starting in 2013, many of these wonderful creatures began suffering from a disease that caused severe population declines. The sunflower sea star was hit hardest, losing around 90% of its numbers in just the first five years.

Marine disease expert Alyssa Gehman from the Hakai Institute described the condition as “gruesome.” Healthy sea stars have plump arms, but the disease leads to painful lesions, making their arms fall off. The groundbreaking research identified the culprit: a bacterium called Vibrio pectenicida, which attacks not only sea stars but also shellfish.

Rebecca Vega Thurber, a marine microbiologist at the University of California, praised these findings. She noted they have finally answered a critical question about a major ocean disease. This research took over a decade, featuring many wrong turns. Early guesses pointed towards a virus, but that turned out to be a common bacterium found in healthy sea stars.

Microbiologist Blake Ushijima from the University of North Carolina commented on the challenges of studying underwater diseases. He applauded the team’s thorough work in tracing the source of the problem.

Now that the real cause is identified, scientists are optimistic they can help restore sea star numbers. They plan on evaluating remaining healthy sea stars for potential relocation or breeding to boost populations. There’s even a chance some sea stars might have natural immunity, opening doors for probiotic treatments.

This recovery effort is crucial, not only for sunflowers but also for entire ecosystems. Healthy sea stars keep sea urchin populations in check, and with fewer sea stars, urchins have exploded in numbers. This boom has devastated kelp forests in Northern California, affecting various marine life dependent on them.

Researchers like Thurber liken the kelp forests to the “rainforests of the ocean.” Regrowing these forests is vital for sustaining diverse marine life. As scientists focus on restoring sea star populations, it’s a hopeful step toward healthier ocean ecosystems for the future.

For more information on this study, check out the research published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.

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