Echinus tylodes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Echinus tylodes | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Echinoidea |
| Order: | Camarodonta |
| Family: | Echinidae |
| Genus: | Echinus |
| Species: | E. tylodes |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinus tylodes | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Echinus tylodes is a species of sea urchin in the Echinidae family. It is white with rather sparse pink spines, and is endemic to the eastern coast of North America including the Gulf of Mexico.[2]
Echinus tylodes has a subglobular test about two-thirds as high as it is wide and grows to a diameter of 10 cm (4 in). The joints between the ambulacral plates and the pores through which the tube feet project are both sunken below the general surface of the test. The tubercles to which the primary spines are attached are slightly raised, making it appear as if they are on vertical ridges. The primary spines are short and stout, and the test is easily visible as few secondary spines occur. The general colour of this urchin is white and it has pink spines.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Echinus tylodes is found on the East Coast of the United States from Cape Cod southwards to the Straits of Florida[3] and in the Gulf of Mexico.[2] It is a deepwater species, being found at depths of 270 to 810 metres (890 to 2,660 ft).[3] It is often found around deepwater corals, sitting on the coral branches or around coral mounds among the remains of dead corals.[4]