A team of scientists has identified the root cause of a devastating disease that has been turning vibrant, 24-armed sea stars into a gelatinous state. Melanie Prentice, a research scientist at the Hakai Institute, along with her team, has conducted extensive research over several years to uncover the source of this disease. Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
According to Prentice, the culprit behind this disease is a bacterium known as Vibrio pectinicida. The outbreak of this disease in 2013 led to a mass die-off of sunflower sea stars, which once flourished along the west coast of North America, from Baja California to Alaska.
Alyssa Gehman, a marine disease ecologist on the research team, described the harrowing effects of the disease on sea stars. The creatures’ arms contort and detach, with their limbs appearing to crawl away from their bodies. Eventually, lesions form, leading to the dissolution and death of the sea stars.
The research estimates that over 87% of sunflower sea stars in northern regions of the west coast have perished, while the species is deemed functionally extinct in southern habitats. The team’s meticulous experiments confirmed that Vibrio pectinicida was the primary agent responsible for transmitting the disease among sea stars.
Experts commend the diligent efforts of the research team in uncovering the cause of the disease. The newfound knowledge offers hope for restoration initiatives aimed at reviving sea star populations and safeguarding marine ecosystems. Captive breeding programs can now screen and test sea star populations for the pathogen before reintroducing them into vulnerable environments.
Despite the prospects for recovery, caution is urged. Amanda Bates, an ocean conservation professor, emphasizes the ongoing impact of the disease on wildlife and ecosystem health. The absence of sunflower sea stars has led to a surge in sea urchin populations, resulting in the devastation of kelp forests. Reintroducing sea stars is crucial for restoring ecosystem balance and promoting biodiversity, tourism, and coastline protection.
The fight against sea star wasting disease extends beyond saving a single species to preserving entire marine ecosystems. The importance of these efforts is underscored by the ecosystem services that sea stars provide in combating the effects of climate change-induced erosion and storms.