@mbari_news: Tiptoe through the urchins 🦐⁠ ⁠ The fragile pink sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus fragilis) is one of the most common neighbors MBARI encounters as we explore our blue backyard. Herds of fragile pink sea urchins roam the seafloor, shaping ecosystems through constant foraging, much like wildebeests grazing across African grasslands. These tiny grazers move across the soft sediment, munching on dead kelp and other organic material. With each nibble, they make nutrients and carbon available for other organisms on the seafloor and in the water column above. ⁠ ⁠ Upwelling draws cool, nutrient-rich water up from the depths to fuel pulses of productivity near shore, which means that these grazing Strongylocentrotus fragilis benefit coastal environments too. Large groups of these urchins can even create habitat for other seafloor animals, providing a safe place for small fishes and invertebrates to hide or maybe grab a bite to eat. ⁠ ⁠ MBARI researchers are studying how climate change and ocean acidification affect marine life. We have used our advanced technology to study the physiology of fragile pink sea urchins both in the lab and in the ocean. Our research has revealed that the ocean’s changing chemistry will weaken these urchins’ shells, influence how successfully they can reproduce, and may even push populations out of their preferred habitats. #deepsea #oceanlife #ocean #fyp #Science

MBARI

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Thursday 15 October 2026 04:22:12 GMT