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Adult sea urchins are usually well protected against most predators by their strong and sharp spines, which can be venomous in some species. [32] The small urchin clingfish lives among the spines of urchins such as Diadema ; juveniles feed on the pedicellariae and sphaeridia, adult males choose the tube feet and adult females move away to feed ...
Diadema antillarum, also known as the lime urchin, black sea urchin, or the long-spined sea urchin, [2] is a species of sea urchin in the family Diadematidae. This sea urchin is characterized by its exceptionally long black spines. It is the most abundant and important herbivore on the coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean basin.
Toxopneustes pileolus, commonly known as the flower urchin, is a widespread and commonly encountered species of sea urchin from the Indo-West Pacific. It is considered highly dangerous, as it is capable of delivering extremely painful and medically significant stings when touched.
Certain small fish such as cardinal fish, flatworms and shrimps sometimes seek protection from predators among the long spines. The sea urchin is preyed on by pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) and porcupinefish (Diodontidae), and also lobsters and snails. It reacts to a shadow falling on it by angling its spines towards the possible attacker. [2]
These days, long-spined sea urchins are known as the gardeners of the sea. They tend the algae on the coral reefs they call home, making sure it never overwhelms their hosts. Spotting one on the ...
One of the most notorious sea urchin mass deaths took place in the Caribbean Sea in 1983, affecting a black-spined urchin species called Diadema antillarum. At the time, scientists were unable to ...
The main predators on P. lividus in the Mediterranean Sea are the spider crab (Maja crispata), the fish Diplodus sargus, Diplodus vulgaris, Labrus merula and Coris julis and the gastropod, Hexaplex trunculus. The spiny starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) is a main predator elsewhere. Predation is dependent on size; juvenile urchins are more ...
A deadly epidemic that is spreading through the Red Sea has killed off an entire species of sea urchin in the Gulf of Aqaba, imperilling the region's uniquely resilient coral reefs, an Israeli ...