SURVEY RESULTS:
Constellation Marine Reserve- Alki Seattle (entire park down to minus 2.2ft. tide level):
Pisaster ochraceus (Purple Star) 78 healthy and 19 with SSWD (all with SSWD had low to moderate levels, none were disintegrating) The images show the level of SSWD on individual Purple Stars.
Two small Sunflower Stars were seen both being eaten by gulls....SSWD was not seen on either but it was hard to tell.
Condo pilings south of Constellation Marine Reserve:
Pisaster ochraceus (Purple Star) 35 healthy and 4 with SSWD - again low to moderate level and none disintegrating.
Largest star had ray (arm) length of 6 inches which is near maximum size for this species.
The pilings under the condos is the only area where large Purple Stars are seen in this area.
It may be that being out of direct sunlight and in a cooler habitat has allowed some of these stars to survive the SSWD epidemic.
Survey results show that the level of SSWD is down from 2014 when infection rates were above 80% in the area. Many
Pisaster o. have been lost over the past 2 years. The count of Purple Stars in 2011 prior to SSWD for Constellation Marine Reserve was 609.
While this is good news it does not mean SSWD is on the way out.....only time will tell.
SSWD = Sea Star Wasting Disease
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| Purple Star (Pisaster o.) with SSWD |
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| Purple Star (Pisaster o.) with SSWD |
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| Purple Star (Pisaster o.) with SSWD |
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| Gull with Sunflower Star |
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| Damaged small Sunflower Star (gull damage) |
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| Large Purple Star on condo piling |
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| Purple Stars on condo piling |
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| Purple Star with SSWD on condo piling |
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| Large Purple Star on condo piling |
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| Purple Stars on condo piling (large one with SSWD on upper arm) |
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| Purple Star with SSWD on condo piling |
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| Small Purple Stars (healthy) on condo piling |
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| Condos south of CMR |
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| Purple Star with SSWD - CMR |
