Slate-pencil urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Eucidaris tribuloides
- Common name
- Slate-pencil urchin
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Cidaridae
- Genus
- Eucidaris
- Size
- 5–10 cm
- Depth
- 0–800 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, rocky
- Behaviours
- nocturnal, herbivorous
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific
Description
Eucidaris tribuloides reaches 10 cm including spines. Small test, very thick blunt primary spines resembling off-white to ochre pencils, often colonized by algae and small organisms giving an encrusted look. Short secondary spines around the test. Nocturnal, hides in crevices by day. Grazes algae and sponges. From the surface to 800 m. A rewarding macro photo subject thanks to its encrustations.
Photo of Slate-pencil urchin
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Slate-pencil urchin?
- Slate-pencil urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides) reaches 5–10 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Slate-pencil urchin?
- Slate-pencil urchin is found between 0–800 m deep.
- Is the Slate-pencil urchin dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Slate-pencil urchin?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Slate-pencil urchin?
- Found in: Caribbean, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific.
Similar species
- Paracentrotus lividus - Purple sea urchin
- Astropecten aranciacus - Red comb star
- Ophiothrix fragilis - Common brittle star
- Holothuria tubulosa - Tubular sea cucumber
- Ophidiaster ophidianus - Purple sea star
- Hacelia attenuata - Attenuated sea star
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 396741)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2278811)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia