Tag

Ciliate

All articles tagged with #ciliate

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Sea Urchin Die-Off Mystery Solved by USF Scientist"

A University of South Florida scientist has discovered the single-celled organism responsible for the massive die-off of long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean and Florida last year. Mya Breitbart, a microbiology professor, identified a specific kind of ciliate in all of the diseased sea urchins but not in the healthy ones. Sea urchins play a vital role in the marine ecosystem by feeding on algae, which grows on already threatened coral reefs. Researchers will now look at the conditions in which the ciliate lives and the potential for safe water treatment to stop it.

via Bay News 9|

#ciliate #marine-ecosystem #microbiology

science2 years ago•4 min saved

Unmasking the Killer of Caribbean Sea Urchins.

A scuticociliate, a single-celled organism, has been identified as the cause of the 2022 mass die-off of long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean and Florida’s east coast. These urchins are crucial for coral reef health, and the discovery raises questions about the ciliate’s presence, growth conditions, and potential impact on other species. The research team used genomic techniques to identify the ciliate in every affected urchin specimen and confirmed it as the disease source by performing infection experiments at the USF College of Marine Science.

via SciTechDaily|

#ciliate #coral-reef #disease

science2 years ago•3 min saved

Scientists solve mystery of Caribbean sea urchin die-off.

Scientists have identified the cause of a mysterious die-off of sea urchins in the Caribbean last year, which was caused by a tiny parasite known as a ciliate. The long-spined sea urchins were losing their spines in just a matter of days and dying in "droves." The ciliate, a specific kind called scuticociliate, has been linked to mass killings of other marine species, but this is the first time it's been linked to the rampant decline of sea urchins. Sea urchins are vital marine creatures that eat up the algae that would otherwise decimate coral reefs.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#caribbean #ciliate #coral-reefs

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

Scientists solve mystery of Caribbean sea urchin die-off.

Scientists have identified the cause of a mysterious die-off of sea urchins in the Caribbean last year as a tiny parasite known as a ciliate. The long-spined sea urchins were losing their spines and dying in "droves," which is concerning as they eat up the algae that would otherwise decimate coral reefs. The ciliate responsible for the die-off is a specific kind called scuticociliate, which has been linked to mass killings of other marine species. The finding could help mitigate risk to marine life through such things as boat traffic or dive gear.

via CBS News|

#caribbean #ciliate #coral-reefs