Molecular Assessment Of Sea Star Diversity In Tampa Bay: A Genetic Baseline For Coastal Conservation

Sea stars (Class Asteroidea) serve as keystone species in coastal ecosystems, yet their population genetics in environments like Tampa Bay remain poorly understood. This study aims to characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of sea star species in Tampa Bay through DNA extraction and molecular analysis of tissue samples collected across multiple sites, using PCR techniques and DNA sequencing to assess species composition and genetic variation among populations. Our findings are expected to reveal genetic differentiation among site populations reflecting Tampa Bay's diverse habitat mosaic, providing one of the first genetic surveys of this taxonomic group in the region. These results will establish a molecular baseline enabling future monitoring of population shifts, connectivity, and overall health of the bay area. This will also contribute to work done in classrooms, such as Marine Invertebrate Biology, to encourage students to be able to identify these specifics correctly. This will directly inform conservation strategies for one of Florida's most ecologically significant estuaries and contribute to broader echinoderm monitoring efforts across the Gulf Coast.