Dataset for the manuscript: "Progress towards complete life-cycle culturing of the endangered sunflower star Pycnopodia helianthoides"

Abstract

Until recently, the sunflower star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, was a dominant and common predator in a wide variety of benthic habitats in the NE Pacific. Then, in 2013, its populations began to plummet across its entire range due to the spread of a phenomenon known as sea star wasting disease, or sea star wasting. Although dozens of sea star species were impacted by this wasting event, P. helianthoides seems to have suffered the greatest losses, and is now listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as the first critically endangered sea star. Coincident with the sunflower star disappearances in California have been an explosion in populations of one of its prey, the kelp-eating purple urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and over 90% declines in forests of the bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana. In order to learn more about the life history of the sunflower star, and to explore the potential for their restoration, we have begun a captive rearing effort in an attempt to realize complete life cycle (egg-to-egg) culture for this endangered keystone species. We report here our observations on holding and distinguishing adults, reproductive seasonality, larval development, inducers of settlement, and early juvenile growth and feeding. Our hope is that our efforts will promote and help guide conservation interventions designed to protect remaining populations of this species in the wild and encourage its ultimate return.