Mass mortality of the invasive alien echinoid (Echinoidea: Diadematidae) in the Mediterranean Sea.

The sea urchin is an ecological key species across its range, particularly on coral reefs. In 2006 was first observed in the Mediterranean Sea, and since, it has proliferated to occupy the entire Levantine Basin. Here we report the mass mortality of the invasive in the Mediterranean Sea. This is the first report of mass mortality. The mortality spans over 1000 km along the Levantine coast of Greece and Turkey. The current mortality shows similar pathologies to previously reported mass mortality events, suggesting pathogenic infection as the cause of mortalities. Maritime transport, local currents, and fish predation of infected individuals may distribute pathogens at varying geographical scales. Due to the proximity of the Levantine Basin to the Red Sea, the risk of pathogen transport to the native Red Sea population is imminent-with potentially catastrophic consequences.