Slate Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Heterocentrotus mammillatus
- Common name
- Slate Pencil Urchin
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Echinometridae
- Genus
- Heterocentrotus
- Size
- 8–15 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Heterocentrotus mammillatus reaches 15 cm diameter. Indo-Pacific urchin (Diadematidae). Dark black-gray, characteristic thick short slate spines (resembles pencil). Reef inhabitant 5-40 m. Intense herbivore algal predator. Nocturnal. Minimally threatened = LC. Highly observable on reefs.
Photo of Slate Pencil Urchin
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Slate Pencil Urchin?
- Slate Pencil Urchin (Heterocentrotus mammillatus) reaches 8–15 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Slate Pencil Urchin?
- Slate Pencil Urchin is found between 5–40 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: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Echinometridae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 213385)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5842749)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia