MAG22007_210620_0179
A critically endangered Sunflower Sea Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) moves about beneath the docks of Friday Harbor Laboratories. Sunflower sea stars went from being quite common to listed as critically endangered when a mysterious wasting disease caused rapid die-offs along the West Coast. Unlike many other sea star species, Sunflower sea stars move rapidly through the intertidal zone. Turn around, and they could be gone. This has made it particularly challenging to learn the territories and habitat dynamics of sunflower sea stars, as they are difficult to track and range widely.