Scientists are looking for the reason behind the death of starfish along the U.S. west coast. The decrease in population of these creatures is also having a negative impact on different species of starfish including those living in the wild and in captivity.

Scientists who study the west coast's marine ecosystems are puzzled. Scientists believe that the deaths are linked with a smaller epidemic of a disease off of the U.S. east coast in 2013. The disease spreads rapidly and results in the loss of the creatures' limbs, thereby, tearing them apart. The death rate for the disease is approximately 95%.

Symptoms of the disease start with appearance of white lesions on the arms of the starfish, also called sea stars. These lesions then spread all over the body very quickly, thereby resulting in the loss of arm. Further, the lesions appear all over the body causing the death of the animal.

Generally star fish have the ability to shed their limbs to guard itself from predators. But, the infected star fish becomes so vulnerable and weak that it becomes incapable for it to regenerate its arms, thereby resulting in its death.

Ochre Starfish and Sunflower Seastar are adversely affected species.

Sea stars play a vital role in maintaining coastal ecology. The star fish feed on snails, mollusks, barnacles, mussel and other small sea animals. The decline in population of the star fish will result into increase in the population of mussel, thereby disturbing ecological balance.

Scientists are studying specimens in labs and are putting efforts to curb the falling number of star fish by identifying the cause of the disease.