The Mystery of the 2013 Sea Star Die-Off Solved

Introduction

In 2013, a mysterious disease caused a mass die-off of sea stars, also known as starfish, along the Pacific coast of North America. This phenomenon devastated over 20 species and resulted in the deaths of more than 5 billion sea stars. For years, scientists have been trying to determine the cause of this massive die-off.

Key Details

Recently, a team of researchers from Cornell University and the University of California, Santa Cruz revealed that they have finally solved the mystery. Through extensive research and analysis, they found that the cause of the sea star die-off was a virus. This virus is known as the sea star-associated densovirus (SSaDV) and it attacks the sea stars' immune system, making them vulnerable to other pathogens and ultimately leading to their death.

The team also discovered that the virus is present in healthy sea stars, but it only becomes deadly when the sea stars are stressed or their immune system is weak. This explains why the die-off occurred in such a short period of time and only affected certain species.

Impact

This discovery has significant implications for the marine ecosystem. Sea stars play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and balance in the ocean. With their dramatic decline, there could be a ripple effect on other species and the overall health of the ocean. Additionally, understanding the cause of