| Description: |
Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) first appeared in Oregon in April 2014, and by June had spread to most of the coast. Although delayed compared to areas to the north and south, SSWD was initially most intense in north and central Oregon and spread southward. Up to 90% of individuals showed signs of disease from June-August 2014. In rocky intertidal habitats, populations of the dominant sea star Pisaster ochraceus were rapidly depleted. Given conflicting results on the role of temperature as a trigger of SSWD, it seems most likely that multiple factors interacted in complex ways to cause the outbreak. [Source: PLoS ONE]
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