A severe marine heatwave in the Red Sea during 2023, caused a devastating mass mortality event, according to research conducted by PhD student Morgan Bennett-Smith under the supervision and collaboration of Prof Raquel Peixoto.

This study, published in npj biodiversity, documented that the heatwave caused all magnificent sea anemones (Radianthus magnifica) on three central Saudi Arabian reefs to bleach and noted that the loss of anemones means the loss of a vital microhabitat for dozens of species.

Read more at

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/heatwave-wipes-out-clownfish-in-red-sea-reefs

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt7079

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/clownfish-shrinking-ocean-heat-wave

https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/cq69m7g91g5o?xtor=AL-73-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bflipboard%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bbrazil%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D

https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/news/red-sea-study-finds-heat-limits-for-clownfish-anemone-partnership