Scientists have traced the cause of the massive death of starfish on the American west coast. The bacterium Vibrio Pectenicida is the culprit. Billions of starfish have died of the disease in the last twenty years.
In recent years, large numbers of dead starfish often washed up along the west coast from Mexico to Alaska. The animals were seriously pounded, with missing or twisted limbs, melted body parts and bulging organs. Researchers called the condition ‘starfish disease’, but the cause was unknown for a long time.
One of the species that was hit hardly is the Sunflower star. This starfish can grow up to a meter and is therefore the largest in the world. In the past decade, an estimated 90 percent of all sunflower stars died.
American and Canadian scientists have now established for the first time, causing the disease. Laboratory research showed the bacterium Vibrio Pectenicida to cause all symptoms of starfish disease. Their findings have been published in the scientific journal Nature Ecology & Evolution . Earlier, scientists assumed a virus.
Now that the cause is known, the scientists are working on possible solutions to save the starfish. For example, they think of identifying populations that are immune to the disease and developing probiotics to protect other starfish.
Starfish act as vacuum cleaners on ocean floor
It is not just about the survival of the starfish itself, but also about the health of the ocean. Starfish act as vacuum cleaners on the bottom of the sea. In addition, they eat excess animals such as sea urchins.
Now that there are much less starfish, the number of sea urchins is growing rapidly. They then eat the Kelpbossen en masse, such as those in the north of California. Kelpbossen are undersea ecosystems that consist of algae.
Scientists have discovered the cause of the massive die-off of Starfish on the American West Coast. The Bacterium Vibrio Pectenicida is the Culprit. Billions of Starfish Have died from the Disease in the Past Two Decades.
In recent years, Large Numbers or Dead Starfish Have Often Washore Along The West Coast from Mexico to Alaska. The Animals Were Severely Battered, With Missing or Twisted Limbs, Melted Body Parts and Bulging Organs. Researchers Called the Condition ‘Starfish Disease’, But The Cause was Unknown for a Long Time.
One of the Species Hardest Hit is The Sunflower Star. This starfish can grow up to a meter in size, making it the largest in the world. It is estimated that 90 percent of all sunflower stars have died in the past decade.
American and Canadian Scientists have now determined for the first time what causes the disease. Laboratory Research Showed that the Bacterium Vibrio Pectenicida Causes All the Symptoms of Starfish Disease. Their findings are published in The Scientific Journal Nature Ecology & Evolution . Previously, scientists assumed it was a virus.
Now that the caus is known, scientists are working on possible solutions to save the starfish. For Example, they are Considering Identifying Populations that are immune to the disease and developing probiotics to protect other starfish.
Starfish ACT AS Vacuum Cleaners on the Ocean Floor
It is not just about the survival of the Starfish Themselves, but also about the health of the ocean. Starfish ACT AS Vacuum Cleaners on the Bottom of the Sea. In Doing So, they eat excess animals such as sea urchins.
Now that there are Far Fewer Starfish, The Number of Sea Urchins is Growing Rapidly. They in Turn Massively Eat the Kelp Forests, Such as Those in Northern California. Kelp Forests Are Underwater Ecosystems Made Up of Algae.