Sea star populations are dwindling in the Pacific Ocean. About 20 species from Baja California to Alaska have been partially killed off by what is thought to be a densovirus. Even as more and more adult stars curl up, lose limbs, and turn to mush, marine biologists are finding a new surprise: babies. There's an unprecedented number of juvenile sea stars at different sites up and down the west coast, and they appear to be resisting the disease. Near Santa Cruz, more juveniles were counted this year than in the past 15 years combined. It isn't a sure indicator that populations are regenerating everywhere. And scientists don't yet know whether the stars will reach maturity. We'd better hope they'll be around to keep the mussels and urchins in check. Sea stars are "key predators" of small sea creatures.
