Diadema antillarum is a keystone herbivore that controls algal cover on coral reefs, as reductions in this species has been associated with significant increases in algal cover. However, most of the evidence that supports this model comes from observational studies where processes have been inferred from descriptions of temporal and spatial relationships. Within this context, a manipulative experiment was conducted to test the effects of D. antillarum densities and rugosity on benthic assemblages. The experiment consisted of fencing 1m² experimental plots (metal fence corrals) of high and low rugosity where different densities (0, 1, 5 and 10 individuals/m²) of D. antillarum were enclosed per plot. Inside these plots, three permanent and random 100cm² photo-quadrats were taken during eight sampling times (six months) to estimate temporal change in benthic cover. Multivariate and univariate analyses indicated that: 1) presence of D. antillarum significantly decreased turf algae (from 90% to 4%) and Dictyota (from 25% to 0%) cover and increased clean substrate (from 0% to 72%) at both sites; 2) herbivory rates for low rugosity were different from high rugosity herbivory rates; 3) densities of 1 D. antillarum individual/m² did not change algal cover; 4) a minimum of 5 D. antillarum individuals/m² were required to maintain low algal cover on low and high rugosity experimental units. Based on these results we suggest that D. antillarum can effectively enhance coral reef health by decreasing algal cover and creating clean substrate. For restoration efforts, optimal densities of 5 D. antillarum individuals/m² should be considered when restocking individuals to coral reefs.

迪纳特马（Diadema antillarum）是控制珊瑚礁上藻类覆盖的基石食草动物，因为该物种的减少与藻类覆盖的显着增加有关。但是，支持该模型的大多数证据来自观察性研究，在该研究中，从对时空关系的描述中推断出了过程。在这种情况下，进行了一个操纵性实验，以测试香菇密度和皱纹对底栖动物群的影响。该实验包括围栏1m ²高和低皱纹的实验地块（金属栅栏围栏），其中不同密度（0、1、5和10个个体/ m ²）的香樟木（D. antillarum）每个地块都附上。在这些地块内，在八个采样时间（六个月）中拍摄了三个永久且随机的100cm ²光电四倍体，以估计底栖生物的时间变化。多元和单变量分析表明：1）的存在下D. antillarum十分显著降低草皮藻类（从90％至4％）和Dictyota（从25％至0％）和盖在增加的清洁基板（从0％至72％）两个站点；2）低皱纹的草食率与高皱纹的草食率不同；3）密度为1 D. antillarum个人/ m ²并没有改变藻的覆盖率；4）最少5头antillarum个体/ m ²要求在低和高皱纹实验装置上保持低藻类覆盖率。根据这些结果，我们认为香菇D. antillarum可以通过减少藻类覆盖并创建干净的基质来有效地增强珊瑚礁的健康。为了进行恢复工作，在将个体放养到珊瑚礁中时，应考虑5头安迪拉蒂姆个体的最佳密度/ m ²。