Heterocentrotus
Heterocentrotus is a genus of sea urchins belonging to the family Echinometridae. They are commonly known as “collector urchins” or “slate pencil urchins” due to the shape and texture of their spines.
Common Names
Common names for Heterocentrotus include:
- Collector urchin
- Slate pencil urchin
- Pencil urchin
- Black sea urchin
Characteristics
Heterocentrotus species have distinctive features that set them apart from other sea urchins:
- Spines: They possess short, blunt, and cylindrical spines resembling slate pencils. These spines can be black, brown, or greenish in color.
- Test: The test (the hard, calcareous shell) is usually black or dark brown, and may be covered in algae and other marine organisms.
- Feeding: Heterocentrotus are herbivores, grazing on algae and other organic matter.
- Size: They typically reach a diameter of 5-10 cm.
Environments
Heterocentrotus species are found in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit shallow, rocky reefs, tide pools, and seagrass meadows. These sea urchins are often seen clinging to rocks, corals, or other hard surfaces.
References
For more detailed information, refer to these reliable sources: