Dataset: Sea star specimen information: LA County Museum of Natural History

Methodology: A survey of historical SSaDV presence and genome variation was performed on specimens donated by the LA County Museum of Natural History and the California Academy of Sciences. 

Sampling and analytical procedures: SSaDV was detected using primers/probes targeting two genes on its genome in historical samples from 1947 to present (Hewson et al., 2014). We sought to extend this survey with additional specimens donated from the California Academy of Sciences (SF) and the LA County of Natural History, and to study genome variation in SSaDV by full-length genome sequencing. Donated samples were sampled at the museums by clipping 5 tube feet from each ethanol-preserved sample and placing these into sterile 1.5 ml cryovials. The samples were then returned to the lab at Cornell University for processing. 

SSaDV abundance/load will be determined by qPCR following the approach of Hewson et al., 2014 (PNAS). Genome variation will be studied by applying PCR to qPCR positive samples to amplify overlapping parts of the SSaDV genome and then studying their direct sequence-sequence variation. 

Note that species identifications in this dataset with a question mark indicate a questionable identification.

References:

Hewson, I., Button, J. B., Gudenkauf, B. M., Miner, B., Newton, A. L., Gaydos, J. K., ... & Fradkin, S. (2014). Densovirus associated with sea-star wasting disease and mass mortality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(48), 17278-17283. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1416625111