From living being to spackle. A crude description, perhaps, but it gives you an idea of the horrors of the wasting disease that afflicted sea stars in the Pacific a year ago.
Starfish that appeared otherwise healthy turned to mush over a matter of days. But this year--so far--is very different, with scientists finding young sea stars to be unusually prolific. A good sign, or too early to tell?
Dr. Bruce Mengeof Oregon State University is watching the sea star nurseries with great interest. He joins us with what he and other scientists make of this year's crop.