Eucidaris thouarsii

Eucidaris thouarsii, the slate pencil urchin, 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
Subclass:
Perischoechinoidea
Order:
Cidaroida
Family:
Cidaridae
Genus:
Eucidaris
Species:
E. thouarsii
Binomial name
Eucidaris thouarsii
(Agassiz & Desor, 1846)

Distribution and habitat
Eucidaris (thouarsii) galapagensis of the Galápagos, Clipperton and Cocos Islands was formerly included as a subspecies, but is now generally recognized as a separate species

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]

References
  1. Encyclopedia of Life. "Details for: Eucidaris thouarsii". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  2. Kroh, A.; Mooi, R. "Details for: Eucidaris thouarsii". World Echinoidea Database. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  3. Glynn, Wellington, and Birkeland (1979). Coral reef growth in the Galapagos: limitation by sea urchins. Science. 203(4375): 47-49.
  4. Natural History Museum: Eucidaris thouarsii. The Echinoid Directory. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  5. Reyes-Bonilla, and Calderon-Aguilera (2002). Population Density, Distribution and Consumption Rates of Three Corallivores at Cabo Pulmo Reef, Gulf of California, Mexico. Marine Ecology 20(3-4).
  6. Lessios, Kessing, Robertson, and Paulay (1999). Phylogeography of the pantropical sea urchin Eucidaris in relation to land barriers and ocean currents. Evolution 53: 806-817.
  7. Baumiller, Tomasz K. (2008). "Crinoid Ecological Morphology". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 36: 221–49. Bibcode:2008AREPS..36..221B. doi:10.1146/annurev.earth.36.031207.124116.
  8. Lawrence, John M.; Glynn, Peter W. (1984-01-01). "Absorption of nutrients from the coral Pocillopora damicornis (L.) by the echinoid Eucidaris thouarsii (val.)". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology. 77 (1): 111–112. doi:10.1016/0300-9629(84)90020-3. ISSN 0300-9629.
  9. Glynn, Peter W.; Wellington, Gerard M.; Birkeland, Charles (1979-01-05). "Coral Reef Growth in the Galápagos: Limitation by Sea Urchins". Science. 203 (4375): 47–49. Bibcode:1979Sci...203...47G. doi:10.1126/science.203.4375.47. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 17840510.
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