sea urchins

5 Stories

Mass Die-Off Hits 'Unsung Heroes' of Coral Reefs

Up to 95% of sea urchin populations are dying in areas across the Caribbean

(Newser) - For the first time in decades, scientists have observed a massive die-off of sea urchins in the Caribbean, which could serve as another devastating blow to coral reefs. Widespread deaths of at least three species of sea urchins—the West Indian sea egg, rock boring, and black sea urchins—have...

Purple Sea Urchins Are Causing West Coast Nightmare

They've already wiped out 90% of northern California's underwater kelp forests

(Newser) - Tens of millions of voracious purple sea urchins that have already chomped their way through towering underwater kelp forests in California are spreading north to Oregon, sending the delicate marine ecosystem off the shore into such disarray that other critical species are starving to death. A recent count found 350...

Ancient Romans Ate Giraffe: Study

Also sea urchins

(Newser) - Researchers digging around the drains of ancient Pompeii have learned about some unusual Roman eating habits. The scientists found the remains of a giraffe and sea urchin in the drain of a onetime restaurant, LiveScience reports. "This is thought to be the only giraffe bone ever recorded from an...

Caribbean Coral Reefs Are Mostly Dead
Caribbean Coral Reefs
Are Mostly Dead
report says
Sep 7, 2012 4:53 PM CDT

Caribbean Coral Reefs Are Mostly Dead

Less than 10% of the reefs have live coral, says report

(Newser) - The coral reefs of the Caribbean are mostly wiped out, according to a new report from a major conservation group. Scientists have found that the reefs have about 8% of live coral coverage, down from about 50% to 60% in the 1970s, reports National Geographic . Some main culprits cited by...

Self-Sharpening Tools? Sea Urchins Show How

They eat through rocks and keep razor-sharp teeth

(Newser) - The humble sea urchin may teach us how to make knives that never need to be sharpened. Scientists think they've figured out how the creature manages to eat through rock and still maintain teeth that never go dull, reports National Geographic . "It is one of the very few structures...

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