Short Wave The Fight To Save Sunflower Sea Stars
Aug 26, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR science correspondent, sheds light on the dire situation of sunflower sea stars, a keystone species disappearing from our oceans. She shares the inspiring story of a passionate biologist working to save them through innovative breeding and rescue efforts. Greenfieldboyce discusses the critical ecological role these sea stars play and the challenges posed by disease in their decline. Listeners learn about the emotional connections caregivers form with these lab-grown stars as they strive to restore balance to marine ecosystems.
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Sea Star Nursery
- Jason Hoden, at Friday Harbor Labs, raises baby sunflower sea stars in Tupperware containers modified for water flow.
- These month-old sea stars, initially poppy-seed sized, are now tiny reddish-orange dots.
Unknown Lifespan
- Sunflower sea stars' growth rate and lifespan were unknown before Hoden's project.
- Related species' potential longevity motivated Hoden despite uncertainties.
Lab Life
- Hoden's lab contains various containers for different sea star life stages, from larvae in pickle jars to juveniles in Tupperware.
- Larger sea stars, caught for breeding purposes, live in outdoor tanks and are fed mussels by Flora Anto.