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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Isaaq Tomkins

Sea urchin species on brink of extinction after marine pandemic

The urchin resembles a bundle of black needles pointing out from a central point. It is fixed against a rock that features colourful deposits.
The sea urchin’s spikes defend against predators and provide refuge for smaller creatures. Photograph: Biosphoto/Alamy

A marine pandemic is bringing some species of sea urchin to the brink of extinction, and some populations have disappeared altogether, a study has found.

Since 2021, Diadema africanum urchins in the Canary Island archipelago have almost entirely been killed by an unknown disease. There has been a 99.7% population decrease in Tenerife, and a 90% decrease off the islands of the Madeira archipelago.

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