— from Russel Barsh —
More Indian Island seastars were stricken by wasting syndrome in mid-July as hot weather continued. A systematic survey of hundreds of Ochre Stars in the inter-tidal zone (rocks and beaches) found that the proportion of “sick” animals had risen to 49 percent, the highest rate yet observed.
Hundreds of seastars appeared to remain unaffected.
It is important to bear in mind that seastars tend to avoid hot, drying midsummer weather by retreating into sub-tidal waters. This would leave a disproportionate number of diseased seastars visible on beaches, since the first visible effect of wasting syndrome is loss of control of water pressure and mobility.
Potential for recovery of this population remains good: Ochre Stars produce millions of eggs, and have already reproduced this year.
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