‘Molecular stargazing’ to monitor critically endangered sunflower sea stars

The sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) is a keystone species in California kelp forest ecosystems. However, sea star wasting disease, coastal pollution, and stress from climate change has nearly wiped them out in recent years. Without a natural predator, populations of voracious purple sea urchins have exploded and devastated kelp forests through intensive grazing. Tracking healthy sunflower sea stars and reintroducing them to their historic range can help, but the remaining healthy populations are often found in remote locations that are difficult to consistently monitor with direct observation. Biomonitoring with environmental DNA (eDNA) – fragments of genetic material like skin cells and mucus that organisms leave behind – offers a powerful solution for indirect monitoring, but more research is needed to improve sampling techniques and analysis. For this project, researchers will test how eDNA from sunflower sea stars sheds, decays, and moves through the ocean. The results will enable the team to design a California-wide eDNA sampling protocol for sunflower sea stars that can directly inform kelp restoration efforts.