General Description
The overall shape of this sea urchin is spherical. The spines are very short (< 5 mm) and uniform in length. Spine colour is variable: orange, dark red, pink and yellowish. The test is usually brightly coloured and finely tuberculated. Test diameter up to 5 cm.
Biology
This urchin is often completely camouflaged by seagrass and algae. It is common in intertidal areas and in shallow waters.
Distribution
Southern Australia.
Habitat
Amongst seagrass and algae in bays, in intertidal and shallow waters, to depth of 22 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Spherical test, short spines, lightly tuberculate.
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Maximum Size
5 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Omnivore
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Hazards
Spines can puncture skin. Venom status unknown.
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Lütken, 1872)
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Common Name
Seagrass Sea Urchin
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
inflatus
