Scientists pinpoint bacterium causing sea star deaths, impacting Pacific coast ecosystems.

Scientists have identified the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of the sea star wasting disease, which has killed over 5 billion sea stars off North America's Pacific coast since 2013. This disease affected more than 20 species, including the sunflower sea star. The discovery, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, could help in restoring sea star populations and the health of kelp forests, which are vital habitats for many marine species.