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Red Heart Urchin
Meoma ventricosa
(Lamarck, 1816)
Code
Summary
Saltwater. Sea Urchins. The body of this rather large urchin is
flattened, not dome-shaped. It is densely covered with short, pointed
spines. A five-pointed petal design is present in darker color on its
back.Size:
To be confused with
- Sand dollar Clypeaster subdepressus
Characteristics
Size: Body up to 18 cm, spines up to 2 cm.
Colour: The color of the spines is dark reddish brown, but may seem to be lighter because of the coral sand on its back.
Shape: The body of this rather large urchin is flattened, not dome-shaped. It is densely covered with short, pointed spines
Habitat environment and ecology
Inhabits reefs. Burrows in the coral sands during the day. It may also
cover itself with debris. Mostly found near the coral reefs.Depth:
ranges from 1 m down to 40 m.
Distribution range
BES-eilanden: St. Eustatius.
Author
[Marion Haarsma, march 2016]
Literature
- Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2002). Reef Creature Identification:
Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (p. 420). Jacksonville (FL): New World
Publications.
Commentaar
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