Sea Star Wasting Disease: Cause Identified After 12 Years | Impact on Marine Ecosystems

For Prelims:

  • Sea Star Wasting Disease
  • North America Pacific Coast
  • 2013 Epidemic
  • 5 Billion Sea Stars Affected
  • 20+ Sea Star Species
  • Sunflower Sea Star

For Mains:

  • Ecological Imbalance
  • Keystone Species
  • Marine Ecosystems
  • Biodiversity Loss Marine Habitat Degradation
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Climate-linked Outbreaks Marine Conservation

Scientists have identified Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of the sea star wasting disease, responsible for killing over 5 billion sea stars since 2013. Discover its symptoms, ecological impact, and the disruption of marine habitats.

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Context

  • Recently, after 12 years of extensive research, scientists have uncovered the cause of the devastating sea star wasting disease that has led to the death of over 5 billion sea stars along North America's Pacific coast since 2013.

Key Findings

  • The epidemic devastated more than 20 sea star species, with the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) being hit the hardest. Ο Ο 
  • Symptoms: White lesions, twisted limbs, and rapid disintegration of body tissue.
  • Causal Agent: The bacterium Vibrio pectenicida was identified as the cause of the epidemic. • 
  • Detection Method: The bacterium was present in high concentrations in the coelomic fluid (sea star's internal fluid) of infected individuals but absent in healthy ones. 
  • Ecological Disruption: The collapse of predatory sea star populations allowed sea urchins to proliferate, leading to destruction of kelp forests, critical marine habitats.

Prelims:

Q. PRELIMS, 2011
What is the difference between a starfish and a jellyfish?
A. Starfish is an echinoderm, whereas jellyfish is a coelenterate.
B. Both are vertebrates.
C. Starfish moves by swimming, whereas jellyfish crawls.
D. Jellyfish causes water pollution but starfish does not.

Ans:



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