The Red Sea's spectacular coral reefs face a new threat, marine biologists warn — the mass death of sea urchins that may be caused by a mystery disease. Because the long-spined creatures feed on algae that can suffocate corals, their die-off could "destroy our entire coral reef ecosystem," warned scientist Lisa-Maria Schmidt.

Red Sea corals threatened by mystery sea urchin deaths. (2023, September 25). The Manila Times, p. A4.