Cover, blade size, growth rate, longevity and reproduction of the foliose brown macroalga Lobophora variegata (Lamouroux) Womersley were recorded in 2 deep-water populations (25 to 35 m) in the coral reef of Curaqao (Netherlands Anhlles) for over a year. No seasonal effects were observed. Although mean cover was relatively constant, turnover rates were very high with half-life of blades being, on average, only ca 20d. During t h s study the herbivorous sea urchin Diadema a n t i l l a m Philippi suffered mass mortality. The effect of the disappearance of this grazer was evident at one of the 2 locations, where D. a n t i l l a m densities had been highest, L. vanegata cover lowest and blade sizes smallest. At this station, following D. antillarum mortality, cover and blade size increased significantly and reached a new equilibrium after ca 6 mo.

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