Sea urchins are dying in large numbers across the Caribbean, according to scientists who are racing to pinpoint the cause of the mysterious die-off.
Reinhard Dirscherl / ullstein bild via Getty Images
Such a severe die-off of sea urchins has not been seen in the Caribbean since the 1980s, according to the research group. Scientists warn that the loss of urchins — which help maintain a healthy environment for corals to grow — could be devastating for the broader marine ecosystem.decline of coral reefs
That's because sea urchins graze on reef systems, feeding on the harmful algae that can interfere with corals. More research is needed, but Patterson said it's possible that a parasite, a virus or bacteria in the marine environment may be to blame.may also be a factor, though it can be difficult to tease out those direct links, said Keri O’Neil, a senior scientist at The Florida Aquarium.
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