Mass mortality of the starfish, Asterias forbesi, on the Atlantic coast of Maryland

Abstract

Great numbers of the common starfish, Asterias forbesi, were washed ashore from the Atlantic Ocean along Worcester County, Maryland, during an unusually severe storm in February, 1960. Several millions were killed on the beach, while others survived. A length frequency distribution revealed a bimodal distribution, suggesting two age groups, as have been observed in more northern waters. Large numbers of surf clams, Spisula solidissima, were also washed ashore with the starfishes. © 1960, Estuarine Research Federation. All rights reserved.