Scientists at USF study sea urchins to learn the source of a mass die-off in 2022.
The long-spined sea urchin population in the Caribbean and other regions had been under attack from a mystery disease that caused a rapid die-off event with urchins showing erratic locomotion and loss of control over their tube feet. This rapid spread of the infection had baffled researchers and triggered fears of a potential ecological disaster. However, a team of experts has now managed to crack the case and identify the culprit - a ciliate microorganism called a scuticociliate.
The long-spined sea urchin population in the Caribbean and other regions had been under attack from a mystery disease that caused a rapid die-off event with urchins showing erratic locomotion and loss of control over their tube feet. This rapid spread of the infection had baffled researchers and triggered fears of a potential ecological disaster. However, a team of experts has now managed to crack the case and identify the culprit - a ciliate microorganism called a scuticociliate.