๐๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ขโฏ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐ถ๐ฎโฏor the long-spined sea urchin, is a keystone herbivore. They are known for their incredible spines, which offer protection. Like many other sea urchins, they have tiny tube feet all over their body that helps the urchin navigate in the habitat and detect changes in water currents. It's like having a built-in radar system! The long-spined sea urchin eats more algae than other urchins, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health and diversity of coral reefs. By keeping algal growth under control, it helps provide a balanced ecosystem for countless marine creatures. However, in the 1980s and in 2022 there was a huge die-off of the long-spined sea urchin, disturbing the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems. We are helping to restore these crucial herbivores to improve the balance of coral reefs!
long-spined sea urchin / ๐๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ขโฏ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐ถ๐ฎ
ADOPT A REEF CREATURE
Adopt a reef creature for you or your loved ones to help us restore the diversity and resilience of Caribbean coral reefs!
ADOPT VS DONATE: DIFFERENCES
Adopting a reef creature directly supports our efforts at CIROM for coral reef conservation and restoration and helps us sustain our efforts beyond grant cycles to preserve and protect our coral reefs for future generations. You will receive a downloadable digital card of your reef creature straight to your inbox!
Donating, however, provides broader support for ISER Caribe's mission, including research, outreach and education programs, and the vital work of our team members.