In 2013 and 2014, a wasting disease demolished sea star populations from Mexico to Alaska. While it is understood that sea star wasting syndrome is caused by a viral pathogen (a "sea star-associated densovirus"), it has been unclear what caused the disease outbreak in the first place. Now, a new study suggests that ocean warming is likely to blame for its continued absence from the Pacific Coast. In deep water habitats, the sunflower star has been on the front lines of sea star wasting syndrome. But, the uneven nature of this warming made it challenging to link temperature increases to the outbreak of the wasting disease.

Source: Forbes January 31, 2019 21:33 UTC