科学家发现细菌导致海星死亡,影响太平洋沿岸生态系统。 Scientists pinpoint bacterium causing sea star deaths, impacting Pacific coast ecosystems.

科学家已经将细菌维布里奥·佩特尼基达确定为造成海星消瘦病的原因,自2013年以来,该疾病已使北美太平洋沿岸超过50亿海星死亡。 Scientists have identified the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of the sea star wasting disease, which has killed over 5 billion sea stars off North America's Pacific coast since 2013. 这一疾病影响到20多个物种,其中包括向日葵海星。 This disease affected more than 20 species, including the sunflower sea star. 这项发现发表在《自然生态学和演变》中,有助于恢复海星种群和海藻森林的健康,海藻森林是许多海洋物种的重要生境。 The discovery, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, could help in restoring sea star populations and the health of kelp forests, which are vital habitats for many marine species.