First captive-bred sunflower sea stars survive in the wild, supported by a reference genome funded through the Wild Genomes program.
The sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) has faced a devastating decline along the West Coast due to sea star wasting disease (SSWD), earning it a critically endangered status. But recent developments offer hope: the first captive-bred sunflower sea stars have been successfully outplanted along California’s coast and have survived for over a month in the wild.
This milestone represents years of collaborative effort by researchers and organizations working to save this iconic species—and genomic tools are playing a central role in the recovery strategy.
From Genome to Conservation Action
Through our Wild Genomes program, Revive & Restore funded the creation of a reference genome for Pycnopodia, led by Dr. Lauren Schiebelhut of the Sunflower Star Laboratory and Dr. Michael Dawson of UC Santa Cruz. This foundational genomic resource is now being leveraged across multiple aspects of the restoration effort.
Sequencing data from the nuclear reference genome enabled researchers to generate a mitochondrial genome, which was then developed into an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay. This powerful monitoring tool is now being used to track outplanted stars and locate remnant populations still surviving in the wild.
The practical applications are already yielding results. A remnant population was recently discovered in Northern California, and scientists are now assessing its genetic diversity to determine whether it could serve as a viable source for broodstock or translocations.
Supporting Conservation Breeding and Disease Resistance
The reference genome and subsequent genomic studies are proving invaluable for ongoing conservation breeding programs. Researchers are using genomic data to ensure genetic diversity among broodstock and to identify genes and individuals with enhanced disease resistance—critical factors for establishing resilient populations that can withstand future challenges.
This work has become even more significant following the recent identification of the pathogen responsible for SSWD: Vibrio pectenicida. Understanding the disease agent opens new possibilities for identifying resistance mechanisms and developing targeted conservation strategies.
A Model for Genetic Rescue
The sunflower sea star recovery effort demonstrates how genomic tools can accelerate conservation outcomes. The combination of pathogen identification, captive breeding success, and applied genomics represents a comprehensive approach to species restoration—one that could serve as a model for other marine conservation challenges.
For more information about this work, connect with Dr. Lauren Schiebelhut and Dr. Michael Dawson.
The Wild Genomes program supports the creation of high-quality reference genomes for conservation-dependent species, enabling the development of genomic tools that advance recovery efforts worldwide.
