Prionocidaris thomasi
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| Prionocidaris thomasi | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Echinoidea |
| Order: | Cidaroida |
| Family: | Cidaridae |
| Genus: | Prionocidaris |
| Species: | P. thomasi |
| Binomial name | |
| Prionocidaris thomasi (A. Agassiz & H.L. Clark, 1907) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Prionocidaris thomasi, commonly known as Thomas's urchin, is a species of echinoderms belonging to the family Cidaridae.[2]
This urchin is characterised by its fuzzy-looking spines and bright maroon color. The fuzz on its spines is caused by algae growth, and its characteristic maroon color comes from the smaller secondary spines located below the larger, thicker spines.[3] The largest size it can reach is about 5 or 6 in (130 or 150 mm) including their spines.[3]
Feeding and mobility
Prionocidaris thomasi uses small tube feet underneath its body to move across the rocks it inhabits.[4] It uses five calcareous teeth, called Aristotle's lantern, to scrape algae off rocks.[4]
Reproduction
Prionocidaris thomasi can reproduce both sexually and asexually.[4] Like most other echinoderms, Thomas's urchin releases gametes into the water so that they can be fertilized during mass spawning events.[4] After a few months of swimming around and eating phytoplankton, larvae of P thomasi will find a suitable area to transform into their juvenile form, which more closely resembles their adult form.[4]