Diadema Paucispinum – Diadema paucispinum

, Diadema Paucispinum - Diadema paucispinum, Diadema paucispinum

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

Diadema paucispinum, commonly known as Diadema Paucispinum, is a species of sea urchin belonging to the family Diadematidae. This species is found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, and is a significant herbivore in coral reef ecosystems.

Description & Characteristics

Diadema paucispinum is characterized by its long, slender spines that cover its body. These spines can reach lengths of up to 10 centimeters, providing the urchin with a formidable defense mechanism. The color of Diadema paucispinum can vary depending on its environment, ranging from dark purple to black. Its body is typically spherical, with a diameter of up to 10 centimeters.

Habitat and Occurrence

Diadema paucispinum is primarily found in coral reefs, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. This species is particularly abundant in the Indo-Pacific region, and its presence is often indicative of a healthy and diverse reef environment. It is also commonly found in the Caribbean Sea, where it contributes to the ecological balance of the region’s coral reefs. Diadema paucispinum typically prefers to inhabit shallow, reef-associated habitats, often found within the depths of 1 to 30 meters. Its preference for these shallow waters ensures it remains within the photic zone, allowing it to access sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.

Taxonomy

The species Diadema paucispinum belongs to the Class: Echinoidea, Order: Diadematoida, and Family: Diadematidae. This classification places Diadema paucispinum within a broader group of sea urchins characterized by their distinctive long, slender spines and their primarily herbivorous diet.

Feeding

Diadema paucispinum is a herbivore and feeds primarily on algae. Its diet includes a variety of algae species, including filamentous algae, red algae, and green algae. This feeding behavior is crucial for maintaining the balance of the reef ecosystem, as it prevents the overgrowth of algae that can smother coral. The species’ ability to graze on algae helps to maintain the health and diversity of the coral reef environment.

Associated Species

Image References

Leave a Comment