'Sea Star Wasting Syndrome': Starfish Dying at Alarming Rates

Scientists are currently investigating the cause of the starfish wasting disease that's hit a great number of the creatures both in the wild and in captivity. For those afflicted with the problem, they seem to develop lesions all over their skin and arms, resulting in an unnatural twist of the body.

The Anchorage Daily News notes that the sea star wasting syndrome also causes the creatures to lose their arms due to excessive tissue softening. Unfortunately, researchers believe that the disease has resulted in the death of eight sea stars, which unfortunately had to be euthanized during the fall, according to the Anchorage Museum.

Greg Danner, the museum's curator, notes that the disease seemed to be under control as of last November. Danner also believes that his and other official's decision to adjust the water tank's temperature helped to stop further the spread of the disease.

However, many feel that sea stars as far as the San Diego area are being affected by the issue. According to Pete Raimondi, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of California in Santa Cruz, he estimated that there could be millions of sea stars suffering from the wasting disease, according to the Star Tribune.

Researchers debunked the theory that this disease only affects sea stars living in warmer climates by studying the prevalence of the disease on Kayak Island in the Gulf of Alaska in the summer of 2013.

"It was the last place on earth where we would have expected to see it," Raimondi said, via the Daily News.

Though Raimondi is still investigating the diseases, he says it is most common among starfish in captivity. Scientists said they hope for a swift recovery if officials can aid the water temperatures limits.

At the end of it all, Raimondi asks the most important question: "Is it the type of thing that will heal itself over time? That's the real question."

What do you think?