The Region - News from Aug. 5, 1985
- Share via
An epidemic disease among starfish indirectly threatens to drastically reduce the kelp forests in Southern California waters, two scientists at USC say. John D. Dixon and Stephen C. Schroeter have reported a disease that “appears to be the cause of widespread extinctions” of a number of starfish species in the California coastal area. The two biological scientists say the discovery is significant because the epidemic has been most prevalent in the batstar species, which preys on white sea urchins, which in turn, feed on adult and baby giant kelp.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
