Eucidaris thouarsii
Species of sea urchin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eucidaris thouarsii, the slate pencil urchin (named after slate pencil), is a species of cidaroid sea urchins that inhabits littoral regions of the East Pacific Ocean.[1][2]
| Eucidaris thouarsii | |
|---|---|
| |
| Eucidaris thouarsii in the Gulf of California | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Echinoidea |
| Order: | Cidaroida |
| Family: | Cidaridae |
| Genus: | Eucidaris |
| Species: | E. thouarsii |
| Binomial name | |
| Eucidaris thouarsii (Agassiz & Desor, 1846) | |
Distribution and habitat
Eucidaris thouarsii is found in the East Pacific at depths of 0–45 m (0–148 ft), ranging from Baja California to Panama, as well as Cocos Island, Clipperton Island and the Galápagos Islands.[3][4][5] The Galápagos, Clipperton and Cocos populations are now often recognized as a separate species, E. galapagensis, instead of a subspecies of E. thouarsii.[6]
Diet
Like all urchins these are primarily herbivores, but feed on a wide range of invertebrates.[7] This species has a high nutrient absorption efficiency when it comes to the coral Pocillopora damicornis, but would require a large intake to make nutrient requirements.[8] Due to its high intake of coral, it reduces reef growth.[9]
