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3w ago

Bacterial Strain Pinpointed as Cause of Pacific Sea Star Wasting Disease

Cultured Vibrio pectenicida samples enable rapid diagnostics with captive breeding programs aimed at reviving keystone sea stars

Image
Sunflower sea stars (pycnopodia helianthoides) and sea vases (ciona intestinalis) are seen in the waters in Rivers Inlet, B.C., in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Hakai Institute, Bennett Whitnell (Mandatory Credit)
Researchers have identified Vibrio pectenicida, a bacterium previously known to infect shellfish, as the cause.

Overview

  • A study published August 4 in Nature Ecology & Evolution confirms Vibrio pectenicida as the definitive pathogen behind a decade-long sea star die-off.
  • Controlled exposure trials fulfilled Koch’s postulates by reproducing wasting symptoms in healthy sunflower sea stars using the cultured bacterial strain.
  • Isolated samples of V. pectenicida are now available to research labs worldwide to accelerate resistance screening and ecological monitoring.
  • Scientists are developing rapid coelomic fluid tests and captive breeding protocols to identify healthy individuals for relocation and reintroduction.
  • Restoring sunflower sea star populations is expected to curb unchecked sea urchin outbreaks and promote kelp forest recovery along the Pacific coast.