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West Indian Sea Egg
Tripneustes ventricosus
(Lamarck, 1816)
Code
Summary
Saltwater. Sea Urchins. This species is the largest urchin in the area.
It is easily recognized because the spines are short and white, whereas
the body is dark brown, dark purple or even black.
To be confused with
- Long-Spined Urchin Diadema antillarum
(Normally black, but sometimes has white spines.)
Characteristics
Size: Body up to 15 cm. Spines up to 2 cm.
Colour: Spines are short and white, whereas the body is dark brown, dark purple or even black.
Shape: The spines are short and white, whereas the body is dark brown, dark purple or even black.
Habitat environment and ecology
Inhabits reefs. Found in seagrass beds and the shallower reefs. It uses
seagrass leaves and all kinds of debris to camouflage itself.Depth:
ranges from 0 m down to 10 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.
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