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Scientists say they have solved the mystery of what killed more than 5 billion sea stars
- In 2025, scientists from the Pacific region uncovered the bacterial agent responsible for sea star wasting disease, solving a mystery that had persisted for 12 years.
- The marine epidemic began in 2013 and killed over six billion sea stars across 20 species from Alaska to Mexico, with sunflower stars hardest hit.
- The researchers targeted the fluid within the sea stars' bodies and identified Vibrio pectenicida as the confirmed bacterium responsible for the devastating disease.
- Melanie Prentice described sunflower stars as a keystone species whose loss caused sea urchin overpopulation and widespread kelp forest destruction.
- This breakthrough enables new studies on disease resistance, captive breeding, and reintroduction strategies to promote recovery and protect coastal ecosystems.
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62 Articles
62 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources62
Leaning Left29Leaning Right2Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Left
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources lean Left
66% Left
L 66%
C 30%
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