Long-spined Sea Urchin (species: Diadema setosum) in Frankland Island Group, QLD (Gaia Guide)
Frankland Island Group, QLD > Animalia > Echinodermata > Echinoidea > Diadematidae > Diadema setosum (gallery)
Diadema setosum
Long-spined Sea Urchin


©Michael Wolf: Long-spined sea urchin, 11 May, 2006

©Anne: Poor photo of Diadema setosum at lagoon bommie, Lizard Island in a Porites coral. Enlarge the image to see the orange ring around the anus.

©David

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoidea
Order Diadematoida
Family Diadematidae
Genus Diadema
Species Diadema setosum

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Colours

    

Distinguishing features

Black with very long needle-like spines. A red or orange ring around the anus.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Interesting facts

  • Sea Urchins have tiny independent venomous claws called pedicellariae that live in between their spines. They catch food but they will also detach themselves and float out and latch on to anything that is attacking the Sea Urchin; selflessly laying down their lives for their Urchin.

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

Behaviour

Nocturnal, well-hidden during the day.

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.
  • Mirams, A.G.K., E.A. Treml, J.L. Shields, L. Liggins and C. Riginos (2011). Vicariance and dispersal across an intermittent barrier: population genetic structure of marine animals across the Torres Strait land bridge. Coral Reefs, 30: 937-949. LIRS catalog number 1482.
  • 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.
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