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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Environment
Richard Luscombe in Miami

Scientists discover why sea urchins are dying off from US to the Caribbean

A ciliate known as philaster is responsible for the sea urchin die-off.
A ciliate known as philaster is responsible for the sea urchin die-off. Photograph: Pascal Pochard-Casabianca/AFP/Getty Images

Marine biologists at a Florida university say they have solved the mystery of a mass die-off of long-spined sea urchins from the US to the Caribbean.

The scientists blame a microscopic, single-cell parasite for the die-off, which took hold early last year. Affected Diadema antillarum urchins lose their spines and suction, then succumb to disease.

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