Funding Agency: University of the West Indies (UWI)

During the early 1990's reef surveys were carried out at Lime Cay (Judith Mendes 1992) and East Middle Ground Shoal, Maiden Cay, Drunkenman's Cay and Gun Cay (Malden Miller 1994). These survey included data on the number or presence of different Caribbean species of sea urchins at these various sites. The aim of this project is to resurvey these sites and to obtain more detailed information as to:

• the different species of urchins present
• the numbers in which they are found
• the spatial distribution with respect to depth and
• the test sizes of Diadema antillarum which may be compared to data collected by Mendes in 1989.

This data will go towards doing a comparison of the urchin population from the late 80's to present, where possible. In other cases it will provide baseline information as to the urchin population at the mentioned Cays. Anther aspect which will be covered by this project is a genetic relatedness comparison of Diadema antillarum from the different Cays as well as other sources around the island of Jamaica.