Climate Change and Virus Threaten Sea Stars' Survival

Climate change and a potential virus are posing serious threats to sea stars, triggering the lethal Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD). The Gulf of Maine, known for its rapidly rising temperatures, is one of the most critical areas at risk. In this marine region, sea stars—creatures of multiple heads instead of arms, capable of regrowth—are witnessing a sharp drop in their population, pushing them towards the list of 'Species of Greatest Conservation Need'.

The Rising Threat of SSWD

SSWD, despite being documented since the 1970s, has seen significant die-offs starting in 2013, particularly along the Pacific Coast and regularly in the Gulf of Maine. The combination of warming waters, increasing acidity, and lower oxygen levels—byproducts of climate change—are suspected to be the catalysts of SSWD. Andrew McCracken, a Ph.D. student at the University of Vermont, emphasizes the urgency to understand and mitigate the disease's effects, as the survival of sea stars is under threat.

The Role of Sea Stars in the Ecosystem

Sea stars are not just picturesque marine invertebrates. They are keystone species, crucial in controlling the population of other creatures and maintaining ecological stability. Their declining numbers could potentially disrupt the balance of marine biodiversity and trigger a domino effect on other marine species.

Adaptation and Survival: Hybridization and Research

In the face of this threat, sea stars are finding ways to survive. Melina Giakoumis from the American Museum of Natural History has observed hybridization between Maine's two major sea star species—an adaptation that could increase genetic variation and boost survivability. McCracken, with a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, aims to study how these echinoderms adapt to thermal extremes. Giakoumis, on the other hand, is working on an app for both citizens and scientists to report sea star sightings and instances of SSWD, encouraging community involvement in data collection and conservation efforts.

While research and technology surge ahead in their efforts to save the sea stars, the responsibility also falls on us to protect their marine habitats. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices are significant threats to these habitats. The road to preserving sea stars and the marine ecosystem as a whole is a shared journey that requires collective action.