Sharks, not lobsters, found to be primary predators of sea urchins according to a University of Newcastle study.
Researchers at the University of Newcastle, led by marine ecologist Jeremy Day, have found that sharks are key predators of sea urchins, challenging the belief that lobsters were the primary threat. In an experiment, sharks consumed 45% of tethered sea urchins, while lobsters only ate 4%. This study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, highlights sharks' role in managing sea urchin populations, especially as climate change allows long-spined urchins to threaten southern Australian ecosystems.
October 07, 2024
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