Infected sea urchin on Reunion Island. Photo credit: Jean-Pascal Quod.

With sea urchin populations collapsing at unprecedented rates, the research community is urgently working to understand the mechanisms behind the outbreak and explore possible mitigation strategies.

reveals how the spread of a microscopic pathogen threatens sea urchin populations and coral reefs around the world. "Sea ...

Sea urchins play a crucial role as 'gardeners' of the reefs, preventing the proliferation of algae that could smother corals. A similar disease had already decimated sea urchin populations in the ...

and the region shifted from a coral reef ecosystem to an algae-dominated one. Even 40 years later, the sea urchin population — and consequently the reef — has not recovered." In 2022 ...

and the region shifted from a coral reef ecosystem to an algae-dominated one. Even 40 years later, the sea urchin population—and consequently the reef—has not recovered." In 2022, the disease ...

Along with parrotfish, this grazing urchin kept seaweed levels down, creating space for coral to grow. Parrotfish are now the sole grazers of seaweed on many Caribbean reefs, but fishing has ...