Echinometra mathaei
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Echinoidea
Order
Camarodonta
Family
Echinometridae
Genus
Echinometra
Species
Echinometra mathaei
Status
least concern
Colours
Distinguishing features
Echinometra mathaei is a small urchin with a dark, oval-shaped test and robust spines that taper to a pointed tip. Spine tips are often, but not always, white.
Two other echinometrid genera are found at Lizard Island but neither looks similar to Echinometra. Heterocentrotus is much larger with thick, heavy spines and Echinostrephus is smaller with much more delicate spines.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Echinometra mathaei is found throughout the island group, usually in relatively shallow water. It is an important agent of bioerosion.
Web resources
References
- Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.
- Pichon, M. and J. Morrissey (1981). Benthic zonation and community structure of South Island Reef, Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef), Bulletin of Marine Science, 31(3): 581-593. LIRS catalog number 78.
- Young, M.A.L. and D.R. Bellwood (2011). Diel patterns in sea urchin activity and predation on sea urchins on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 30: 729-736. LIRS catalog number 1483.
- View all references