Predation on a newly-stocked long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) by the batwing coral crab (Carpilius corallinus) on a coral reef restoration site

Abstract

This photograph documents a batwing coral crab (Carpilius corallinus) preying on the sea urchin Diadema antillarum at a coral reef site enhanced with artificial shelter and staghorn coral. The photograph captures an interaction that needs to be better understood to develop a reef restoration strategy that harnesses positive ecological processes.