Seaweed-Loving Crabs Help Restore Caribbean Corals
MIAMI, Florida, January 28, 2021 (ENS) – With the dangers of climate change increasing at a rapid rate, Caribbean coral reefs are in decline, overcome by seaweed. Now scientists think that they have found a solution for the infested reefs – herbivorous crabs that enjoy a seaweed diet.
On December 10, 2020, researchers with Florida International University, FIU, reported in the journal “Current Biology” that native crabs in the Florida Keys could help break down the seaweed by eating it and so could help to restore the reefs.
A scientist from Florida International University monitors a reef in the Florida Keys, (Photo by Mark Butler courtesy FIU)
With the dangers of climate change increasing at a rapid rate, Caribbean coral reefs are in decline, overcome by seaweed. Now scientists think that they have found a solution for the infested reefs – herbivorous crabs that enjoy a seaweed diet.
On December 10, 2020, researchers with Florida International University, FIU, reported in the journal “Current Biology” that native crabs in the Florida Keys could help break down the seaweed by eating it and so could help to restore the reefs.
FIU Professor of Tropical Ecology and Conservation Mark J. Butler IV, and co-author Angelo “Jason” Spadaro have been observing marine habitats in the Florida Keys for over 30 years.
How seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs eurekalert.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eurekalert.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.