Scientists Finally Identify Killer Microbe Behind ‘Terrifying’ Sea Star Disease

A new study has finally identified the microbe responsible for the devastating "sea star wasting disease" that has decimated sea star populations across the Pacific Ocean in recent years. Researchers have discovered that a bacterium called Vibrio coralliilyticus is the primary cause of this epidemic. The disease causes the sea stars' limbs to disintegrate and eventually leads to the complete destruction of the animal's body. This rapid, lethal condition has resulted in the loss of billions of sea stars, a phenomenon described as "terrifying" by scientists. The findings provide crucial insights into the underlying causes of this environmental crisis, which has had significant ecological implications. With this new information, researchers can now focus on understanding the factors that may have contributed to the outbreak and explore potential strategies to mitigate the impact of this devastating disease on fragile marine ecosystems.