Mass mortality, recruitment and genetic change in ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) associated with sea star wasting disease

Extreme environmental disturbances are expected to increase in frequency and intensity with continuing anthropogenic climate change. However, we know little about what determines resilience or susceptibility to extreme events, or how population dynamics may influence and be influenced by population genomic change. We explore how marine species responded to two mass mortality events using field surveys coupled with genomic data. We describe the population dynamics and genetic consequences of mortality and recovery.

Speakers: Michael Dawson and Lauren Schiebelhut, UC Merced