The Red Urchin, scientifically known as Parasalenia gratiosa, is a species of sea urchin belonging to the family Parasaleniidae. These spiny invertebrates are a common sight in the rocky coastal habitats of the world’s oceans.
Description & Characteristics
The Red Urchin, as its name suggests, typically exhibits a reddish-brown coloration. Its spiny exoskeleton, or test, is covered in numerous, sharp spines that serve as protection and aid in locomotion. The test can reach a maximum size of approximately 5 centimeters in diameter.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Red Urchin thrives in a variety of marine environments. It is frequently encountered on rocky reefs, rocky shores, and rock coasts. It can also be found on rocky, hard seabeds in shallow water, as well as in deeper zones of the oceans, ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone down to the shelf edge at about 200 meters. This extensive depth range places the Red Urchin within the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones, which are collectively known as the neritic zone.
Taxonomy
The species Parasalenia gratiosa belongs to the Class: Echinoidea, Order: Camarodonta, and Family: Parasaleniidae.
Feeding
The Red Urchin is an herbivore, primarily feeding on algae. Its grazing habits play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by controlling the growth of algae populations.
Image References