[Coral-List] Urchin mass mortality

[Prof. Dr. Peter Schupp]

Hi All,

besides the older reported mass mortality of Xestospongia in the Gulf of Thailand (see below), we are currently monitoring the mass mortality of Diadema urchins in Zanzibar.
The Mass mortality of urchins has first been reported in the Caribbean, then in the Mediterranean Sea, followed by the Red Sea and is now spreading down the east coast of Africa. Being a keystone herbivore this will likely have some massive consequences for the affected coral reefs.
So please keep an eye out if you see affected urchins elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific and send an email if you do detect dying urchins.

All the best, Peter

Mueller JS, Grammel P, Bill N, Rohde S, Schupp PJ. 2023. Mass mortality event of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia sp.: population dynamics and size distribution in Koh Phangan, Gulf of Thailand. PeerJ 11:e16561https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16561
https://peerj.com/articles/16561/?td=bl

Prof. Dr. Peter Schupp
Environmental Biochemistry
Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM)
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118
26129 Oldenburg
Germany
Tel:  +49 (0) 4421- 944-100
and
Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg
(HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstrasse 231, D-26129 Oldenburg
Tel: +49 (0) 441- 798-3282    e-mail: peter.schupp at uol.de<mailto:peter.schupp at uol.de>
http://www.icbm.de/umweltbiochemie/
Prof. Dr. Peter Schupp
Environmental Biochemistry
Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM)
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118
26129 Oldenburg
Germany
Tel:  +49 (0) 4421- 944-100
and
Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg
(HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstrasse 231, D-26129 Oldenburg
Tel: +49 (0) 441- 798-3282    e-mail: peter.schupp at uol.de<mailto:peter.schupp at uol.de>
http://www.icbm.de/umweltbiochemie/