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What is the habitat of the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides)? 


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The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, inhabits a variety of habitats along the North American west coast. These habitats include areas of differing wave exposure, soft substrates, protected sites often on kelp substrate, and subtidal waters of British Columbia. The species is known to be a generalist feeder, adapting its diet according to locality and available prey. Recent studies have shown that the sunflower star has been highly susceptible to sea star wasting disease, leading to extirpation across most of its range, with declines coinciding with warm sea surface temperatures. Changes in microbial community structure have been observed in sunflower sea stars during the initial outbreak of sea star wasting disease, indicating dysbiosis preceding visible signs of the disease.

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The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, inhabits wild populations in Southeast Alaska, where microbial dysbiosis precedes signs of sea star wasting disease, impacting their health.
The sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) inhabits shallow nearshore waters and deep offshore areas across a range of approximately 3000 km from California to Alaska.
The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, is found in Scotts Bay, Barkley Sound, British Columbia, Canada, where it experiences typical summer conditions of 10-12°C seawater.
Sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) inhabit areas with varying wave exposure, being larger on soft substrates. Juveniles are often found in protected sites, particularly on kelp substrate.
The sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) inhabits kelp forests on the North American west coast, where it plays a crucial role in regulating sea urchin populations for ecosystem balance.

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