Adult sunflower sea star underwater in this undated image. (Photo by Marco Mazza/Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)
In San Diego, a dedicated team of researchers has achieved a significant milestone in the conservation of the critically endangered sunflower sea star. Through their collaborative efforts, they have successfully spawned and cross-fertilized gametes, yielding fertile eggs.
This breakthrough marks a crucial step in an ongoing endeavor to prevent the extinction of the sunflower sea star, which has suffered immensely from a mass die-off that decimated an estimated 90% of its population over the past decade.
As one of the largest sea stars globally, the sunflower sea star has borne the brunt of sea star wasting syndrome in recent years. This disease, likely exacerbated by abnormally warm ocean temperatures, has led to the loss of at least five billion sea stars and a significant decline in species and genetic diversity.
The success achieved by the research team underscores the importance of collaborative conservation efforts in addressing environmental challenges. It serves as a beacon of hope for the future of the sunflower sea star and emphasizes the urgent need to protect our oceans’ delicate ecosystems.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/babies-of-near-extinct-sea-star-species-hatched-by-san-diego-zoo-in-scientific-first/
Critically Endangered Sunflower Sea Star Gets a Helping Hand at Birch Aquarium
https://www.calacademy.org/press/releases/successful-spawning-and-cross-fertilization-bring-hope-for-the-critically-endangered