Sunflower Sea Star
Pycnopodia helianthoides
![Illustration of a large, orange-colored sea star with several arms.](/s3/styles/original/s3/2023-08/640x427-Sunflower-Sea-Star-NOAAFisheries.png?itok=ecWjw5sE)
Protection Status
Quick Facts
![Sea star on ocean bottom](/s3/styles/full_width/s3/2021-12/pycnopodia.jpg?itok=XhW3wwyZ)
About the Species
![Sea star on ocean bottom](/s3/styles/full_width/s3/2021-12/pycnopodia.jpg?itok=XhW3wwyZ)
The sunflower sea star occurs throughout intertidal and subtidal coastal waters of the Northeast Pacific Ocean from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, to at least northern Baja California, Mexico. They are found to a depth of at least 435 meters on various substrate types, from rocky kelp forests to sand and mud flats.
Sunflower sea stars are broadcast spawners that require close proximity to mates for successful fertilization.
There is no single, systematically collected data set that provides population size or long-term trend data for sunflower sea stars throughout their range. However, from 2013-17, an outbreak of sea star wasting syndrome contributed to precipitous population declines in several areas, with impacts largely progressing sequentially from south to north. Disease, specifically sea star wasting syndrome, is the primary threat to the species. The influence of environmental stressors, including those associated with anthropogenic climate change, on disease risk are unresolved and are a major research focus.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Echinodermata | Class | Asteroidea | Order | Forcipulatida | Family | Asteriidae | Genus | Pycnopodia | Species | helianthoides |
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/24/2023
Featured News
![Sunflower sea star](/s3/styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2023-04/750x500-AKR-Sunflower-Sea-Star-Gullekson-WDFW.png?h=23a3a14b&itok=P71OR7pU)
![Sunflower sea star underwater](/s3/styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2023-03/pycno-janna-nichols.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=IaJQK5n7)
![Sea star on ocean bottom](/s3/styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2021-12/pycnopodia.jpg?h=19f14c2c&itok=7sr5vNRe)
Management Overview
NOAA Fisheries has completed a status review of the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) and is proposing to list the species as threatened throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act.
Key Actions and Documents
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/24/2023
Documents
Endangered Species Act Status Review Report: Sunflower Sea Star
ESA Status Review of the Sunflower Sea Star
Research
Infographic: Sunflower Sea Star Wasting Syndrome Pandemic
Causes, impacts, triggers and research on Sea Star Wasting Syndrome in Pacific Ocean waters.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Proposed Listing of the Sunflower Sea Star as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act
NOAA Fisheries is proposing to list the Sunflower Sea Star as threatened throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/24/2023