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Sea Star Wasting Syndrome
Our predatory sea star tank is empty because of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome (SSWS). Most of the predatory sea stars had been at the Aquarium close to 30 years and we are very sad they are now gone after succumbing to the disease.
Beginning in 2013 from Alaska to Mexico, over 20 species of seastars have been affected by SSWS. Afflicted sea stars develop lesions all over their body, then their arms begin to fall off and the star eventually succumbs to the disease. Few, if any, survive once they begin to show visible lesions. A similar die-off occurred multiple times in the recent past, but not at this magnitude or over such a large geographic area. Researchers are calling this the single largest, most geographically widespread marine disease ever recorded.
Scientists are still working to understand the method of transmission and reason behind the virulence of the disease. It was recently discovered the disease is caused by a densovirus and is perhaps linked to increased water temperature.
Millions of sea stars have died in both the wild and in aquariums. As such they are extremely difficult to find and keep in our tanks. Therefore, our predatory sea stars tank will remain empty indefinitely.
For more information on SSWS, please visit the University of California-Santa Cruz's website.
An example of how quickly wasting can occur. An animal losing its grip on a rock at 6:20 a.m. had greatly disintegrated four hours later. Credit: Menge et al. 2016
Locations along the West Coast of the United States where SSWS has been reported. From: www.seastarwasting.org
Post Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2016
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