Sea Star Wasting: Investigations in Disease Ecology and Environmental Dynamics

Abstract

A literature review was conducted to present information on current and preceding works regarding sea star wasting disease (SSWD), more accurately termed as a syndrome. This project aimed to provide a background surrounding ecological impacts and disease ecology as it is related to sea star wasting disease. While much research has been done to satisfy these critical areas in knowledge surrounding SSWD, extensive work is still needed to further the understanding of microbial relationships to SSWD, multi-host system dynamics, species-species variability, immunology of asteroids in response to wasting, and larval susceptibility and transmission.