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REPORT ON THE SUNFLOWER SEA STAR AT RISK (ENDANGERED SPECIES)

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COVER LETTER

The research topic in this report is a discussion on the endangered sunflower sea star. The

purpose of this report is to outline evidence-based facts on the population decline for these

sea stars and their causes. I have also discussed on recommendations on how to re-introduce

these stars back to the coastline. I have also referenced some of studies related to the

endangered sea star. The studies clearly show the evidence of the population decline of the

sea stars through graphical and visual representations.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………….3

INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………....4

DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………6

CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………….11

RECOMMENDATIONS …………………………………………………………...11

REFERENCES. ……………………………………………………………………..12

APPENDIXES……………………………………………………………………….13

ABSTRACT

The iconic pycnopdoia is a species of sea star and is found in the west pacific. The

pycnopdoia is usually found in rocky or sandy sea bottoms. The pycnopdoia is deemed to be one

of the fastest sea stars in the world. This creature is dependent on fluid pressure to keep its shape

and size. It can weigh up to 15kg. Their color varies from orange to purplish. Gravem & Heady

(2017) define the pycnopdoia helianthoides as a 15,000 tube feet star that adhere to the rocks or

move it along substrates. Following a landmark population analysis conducted by University of

Oregon State and The Nature Conservancy, the IUCN has classified the famous sunflower sea

star as endangered. This is clearly discussed in the rest of the report.

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INTRODUCTION

From several studies conducted, the sunflower sea stars were abundant before the year

2013 to 2017. The sunflower sea star population has been in a downslope in the above mentioned

years. This has mainly been caused by the wasting syndrome outbreak. This disease has led sea

stars to be on the verge of extinction. Scientists have revealed that from 62,000 population

sample surveys and 32 datasheets, it is evident that there has been an 89.4% reduction in sea

stars. Around 5.75 billion animals succumbed to this disease, whose cause has not yet been

established.

Based on the findings found on research conducted, the sunflower sea star population

recovery is not evident in the five years since the start of the outbreak. Studies show that there

has not been any sea star located in Mexico since 2015; also, none spotted in California by 2018.

Sea stars remain so little in population in Oregon and Washington. Sea stars being a predator to

urchins, the urchin population has uncontrollably exploded in the above regions. This deems sea

stars important in keeping a balance in the sea urchin population.

In this report, this topic is clearly explained in depth. Analysis of the cause of drastic sea

stars population is also outlined. Several recommendations are also suggested on this issue at the

end of the report. Time being a factor, the report is factual but not thorough due to the limited

time provided.
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EXHAUSTIVE DISCUSSION ON SUNFLOWER SEA STAR POPULATION DECLINE

SSWS disease-related decline

The outbreak of this disease was first reported in 2013. This resulted in a high death rate

of these sea stars in deep and shallow waters throughout most of their breeding zones. According

to Harvell's (2019) study, he clearly outlines the severity of the declines recorded between the

years 2013 to 2017 caused by the disease. Deepwater trawls have been conducted in Oregon and

California between the years 2015 and 2017, none of the sea stars (pycnidia) has been located.

Oregon and California had been some of the significant areas where these animals were found.

Between the years 2004 to 2012, an average of 1.74kg/ha to 2.68kg/ha of sunflower sea stars

were located in the above-mentioned areas. This shows a 100% decline in the sea stars'

population.

Harvell(2019) clearly indicates the population's similarity across the vast regions between

Alaska and California. Studies have been done documenting the leading cause of this decline. In

studies conducted around the Gulf of Alaska, Konar(2019) reports a 67 to 73% decline of the

sunflower sea star population in rocky habitats was directly related to the SSWS disease.Hewson

& Button (2014) clearly outline the association of densovirus with sunflower sea star wasting

disease and high mortality. In regions around the Salish sea, Montecino-LaTorre (2016) clearly

shown that the divers saw only 0-4 sunflower stars per dive during the outbreak as compared to

earlier 6-15 before the outbreak. In summary, most of the population declines occurred along the

US and Mexico coastline. Pycnopodia been a fast sea star, appears not to migrate in search of

mates. This proves to be a significant area of concern due to the sparse population of the species.

Even on occurrences of egg fertilization, the pycnopodia do spawn, leading to unsuccessful

fertilization. Miner & Burnaford (2018) in their study also showcase the impacts of sea star
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wasting disease (SSWD) on sea stars and strategies for recovery and reemergence of the sea

star..Gudenkauf & Hewson (2015) are of the same notion after conducting a genetic study on the

sunflower sea star affected by the SSWS syndrome.

The SSWS disease has been found as the main reason for the decline.

Evidence-Based population data assessment discussion

Around twenty nine research groups were tasked with the survey of the population

decline of sunflower sea stars all the way from Canada to Mexico coastline. These groups shared

32 datasheets provided. The datasheets included 62000 surveys conducted from the year 1967 to

2019. The study used several methods in the research were trawls, Dives, and community

observations were conducted during this study. Observations were compiled together, and a

comprehensive report was included. The count of the pycnidia, the search area, and latitude/

longitude of the areas proved necessary.In addition to that study, Schultz, Cloutier & Côte (2016)

also clearly show evidence of high mortality rate of these sea stars in British Columbia on the

rocky reefs. Below were some of the results recorded from the study that revealed the near

extinction of the pycnidia. Fig 1. Datasheet map used in the study

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Importance of sunflower sea stars in ecosystem

The sea star is a major predator of urchins in the coastline. Their scarcity due to

the SSWS disease has led to the explosion of these urchins along the West coast. This has made

the ecosystem more vulnerable as the urchin population is now unchecked.

The Nature Conservancy together with the University of Washington have developed a

strategy to take in captive sea stars in an aim of breeding them. This may help as it creates a

roadmap toward the reintroduction of the sea star back to the coastlines.
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Findings/ Data analysis

Population decline as per the data collected appeared to occur at different places and

times. Due to the regions' massive nature, it was not essential to showcase the population decline

time. It was evident that the sea stars could have died of the disease in a week or so. Data

collected in the studies is clearly outlined on the graph.

Figure 2, The gray box shows the years that the SSWS disease was reported between

2013 and 2017. Dotted lines represent the periods used for each area to classify samples as pre or

post-SSWS-induced falls (2014). The smoothed line fits show Pycnopodia helianthoides

concentrations across span (2001-2019) and regions.

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Figure 4, The graph shows the yearly regions' population sample size over time (pre and post)
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Figure 4, The graph above shows the yearly regions' population sample size over time

It is evident on the graphs that the population density of the sea stars was influenced by

the sea depth. These sea stars were densely populated on the sea beds in the shallow waters.

Their population also in a down-slope between the year 2013 to 2017.

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Conclusion

In summary, it is right to say that the sunflower sea star is an endangered species as per

the above population study conducted. The rapid decline in this giant sea star population

highlights any species' significance on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species. Its inclusion on

the IUCN Red List in the most endangered category highlights the need for immediate action to

recognize and tackle the SSWS disease that is sweeping the population. This listing of the

sunflower sea star

Recommendations

Due to the drastic reduction in sea stars population, it is important to think on ways to

spearhead their reintroduction to the west coastline. Researchers need to think creatively on ways

to take in captured sunflower sea stars in aim of breeding them. This is crucial in raising their

numbers.

There is also a need to keep the oceans away from pollution. Pollution greatly affects the

survival of these sunflower sea stars. “Keeping carbon emissions away from the oceans is a key

area of concern towards their survival” said Sara Hamilton, PhD student at the University of

Oregon regarding the study conducted.

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References

Aalto, E.A., Lafferty, K.D., Sokolow, S.H., Grewelle, R.E., Ben-Horin, T., Boch, C.A.,

Raimondi, P.T., Bograd, S.J., Hazen, E.L., Jacox, M.G., Micheli, F. and De Leo, G.A.

2020. Models with environmental drivers offer a plausible mechanism for the rapid

spread of infectious disease outbreaks in marine organisms Scientific Reports 10(1): 1-10.

Gravem, S. A., Heady, W. N., Saccomanno, V. R., Alvstad, K. F., Hamilton, S. L., Beas-Luna, R.,

... & Lauermann, A.(2017) Sunflower Sea Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) 6(7): 212-234.

Gudenkauf, B. M., & Hewson, I. (2015). Metatranscriptomic analysis of Pycnopodia

helianthoides (Asteroidea) affected by sea star wasting disease. PLoS One, 10(5),

e0128150.

Harvell, C. D., Montecino-Latorre, D., Caldwell, J. M., Burt, J. M., Bosley, K., Keller, A., ... &

Gaydos, J. K. (2019). Disease epidemic and a marine heat wave are associated with the

continental-scale collapse of a pivotal predator (Pycnopodia helianthoides). Science

advances, 5(1), eaau7042.

Hewson, I., Button, J. B., Gudenkauf, B. M., Miner, B., Newton, A. L., Gaydos, J. K., ... &

Harvell, C. D. (2014). Densovirus associated with sea-star wasting disease and mass

mortality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(48), 17278-17283.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62118-4

Miner, C. M., Burnaford, J. L., Ambrose, R. F., Antrim, L., Bohlmann, H., Blanchette, C. A., ...

& Raimondi, P. T. (2018). Large-scale impacts of sea star wasting disease (SSWD) on

intertidal sea stars and implications for recovery. PLoS One, 13(3), e0192870.

Montecino-Latorre, D., Eisenlord, M. E., Turner, M., Yoshioka, R., Harvell, C. D., Pattengill-
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Semmens & Gaydos, J. K. (2016). Devastating transboundary impacts of sea star wasting

disease on subtidal asteroids. PloS one, 11(10), e0163190.

Schultz, J. A., Cloutier, R. N., & Côté, I. M. (2016). Evidence for a trophic cascade on rocky

reefs following sea star mass mortality in British Columbia. PeerJ, 4(5). 234-312

Appendixes

Picture taken in June 2005, Sunflower star sea star held by Dave Cowles and Greg Ryals.