Reef urchin (Echinometra viridis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Echinometra viridis
- Common name
- Reef urchin
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Echinometridae
- Genus
- Echinometra
- Size
- 3–7 cm
- Depth
- 1–20 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- nocturnal, herbivorous
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Echinometra viridis reaches 7 cm. Smaller than its cousin E. lucunter, greenish-to-brown test, characteristic spines edged in green at their tips or entirely khaki-green, sometimes red-brown. Nestles in Caribbean coral reef crevices, where it grazes encrusting algae at night. More cryptic and smaller than E. lucunter, from 1 to 20 m. Important role in maintaining coral-algae balance.
Photo of Reef urchin
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Reef urchin?
- Reef urchin (Echinometra viridis) reaches 3–7 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Reef urchin?
- Reef urchin is found between 1–20 m deep.
- Is the Reef urchin dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Reef urchin?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Reef urchin?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Echinometra
Other species in the family Echinometridae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 422493)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2278864)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia