The continuous release of CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing acidity seawater worldwide, and pH predicted to be reduced by ~0.4 units 2100. Ocean acidification (OA) changing carbonate chemistry, jeopardizing life marine organisms, particular calcifying organisms. Because their calcareous skeleton limited ability regulate acid–base balance, echinoids are among organisms most threatened OA. In t...

It has been argued that recent phase-shifts towards algal dominance in the Caribbean could have a profoundly negative influence on the future survival of settling corals. In the lower Florida Keys, USA, we used field surveys in areas with recovering populations of the formerly abundant herbivorous black urchin Diadema antillarum (philippi, 1845) and comparatively stable populations of the urchi...