General Description
This spherical sea urchin has bright red tipped spines. The colour of the test is green-grey and the surface is densely covered with secondary tubercles with the poriferous zones haphazardly distributed. It is distinguished from the other species in its genus group by having ambulacra wider than the interambulacra. Test diameter up to 8 cm.
Biology
This spherical sea urchin is the largest species in its genus group. It is common in shallow waters.
Distribution
Southern Australia, excluding Tasmania.
Habitat
Amongst kelp, to depth of 6 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, many miliary tubercles.
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Maximum Size
8 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
L. Agassiz, 1846
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Common Name
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
porosissimus
