Blade-tipped Tiara-urchin, Rough-spined Urchin – Chondrocidaris gigantea

, Blade-tipped Tiara-urchin, Rough-spined Urchin, Chondrocidaris gigantea
Depth: 10 - 45 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Blade-tipped Tiara-urchin, Rough-spined Urchin, scientifically known as Chondrocidaris gigantea, is a fascinating species of sea urchin found in the depths of the ocean. Its unique characteristics and distribution make it a captivating subject of study for marine biologists and enthusiasts alike.

Description & Characteristics

Chondrocidaris gigantea is a distinctive sea urchin with a robust, spherical test (shell) and a remarkable array of spines. Its primary spines are long, thick, and sharp, lending to its common name “Rough-spined Urchin.” These spines, tipped with a blade-like structure, are highly effective in defense against predators. While specific dimensions vary, Chondrocidaris gigantea can grow to a considerable size, exceeding 10 centimeters in diameter, making it one of the larger species of sea urchins.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Blade-tipped Tiara-urchin, Rough-spined Urchin thrives in the depths of the ocean, typically residing between 100 and 500 meters below the surface. Its preferred habitat is the neritic zone, the region of the ocean extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf, making it a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems.

Taxonomy

The species Chondrocidaris gigantea belongs to the Class: Echinoidea, Order: Cidaroida, and Family: Cidaridae. This classification places it within the broader group of echinoderms, which encompasses a diverse array of marine invertebrates such as starfish, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers. The family Cidaridae, to which Chondrocidaris gigantea belongs, is specifically characterized by the presence of long, primary spines that provide defense against predators.

Feeding

While reliable information regarding the specific diet of Chondrocidaris gigantea is limited, it is generally considered to be an omnivore. This indicates that its diet likely includes a combination of both plant and animal matter. Further research is needed to understand the precise composition of its food sources within its deep-sea habitat.

Associated Species

Image References

Leave a Comment