Astropyga radiata

(Leske, 1778)

Vernacular names
English : Star urchin
French : Oursin rouge

Classification
Class : Echinoidea
Order : Diadematoida
Family : Diadematidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The urchin’s test can get to 20 cm in diameter and its spines will grow to 5 cm long. Coloration of the test from purple-red to nearly black. Spines are orange-red with lighter rings. Five rows of bright blue spots on sides of test.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea to South Africa, east to south Japan and north Australia, eastwards to Hawaii. Lives in shallow coastal areas with sandy bottoms, marine grasslands, to 30 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a very large range and remains globally common to locally abundant. It is collected for the trade but this isn’t considered a threat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Echinoderms, Sponges and Hydrozoas” page