Dr. John Turnbull, Marine Explorer, Australien
Info
Prionocidaris callista is a large, robust sea urchin, which usually has colonial organisms such as sponges, bryozoans and hydroids on its spines and as such is often overlooked.
In areas with soft substrate, animals of these genera provide the primary hard substrate for a variety of species, including crustaceans and brittle stars.
These sea urchins feed on a variety of organisms depending on their location, on soft substrates this can be benthic material such as bryozoans, sponges and foraminifera, on hard substrates they feed on algae, crusted organisms and sponges.
Prionocidaris callista inhabits less exposed habitats such as rocky reefs and large estuaries.
This animal is a conspicuous, purple-coloured sea urchin with large, jagged primary spines that taper to a much finer point than the spines of Goniocidaris (Goniocidaris) tubaria.
This species usually occurs in relatively deep water on the sides of channels in areas with strong currents.
The large, jagged primary spines, are often eroded and covered by sessile invertebrates, the plate-like secondary spines form a corona-like structure around the base of the primary spines.
Bathers should always use sturdy bathing shoes in areas with lance-shaped urchins, as spines can easily pierce the skin and cause painful injuries.
In areas with soft substrate, animals of these genera provide the primary hard substrate for a variety of species, including crustaceans and brittle stars.
These sea urchins feed on a variety of organisms depending on their location, on soft substrates this can be benthic material such as bryozoans, sponges and foraminifera, on hard substrates they feed on algae, crusted organisms and sponges.
Prionocidaris callista inhabits less exposed habitats such as rocky reefs and large estuaries.
This animal is a conspicuous, purple-coloured sea urchin with large, jagged primary spines that taper to a much finer point than the spines of Goniocidaris (Goniocidaris) tubaria.
This species usually occurs in relatively deep water on the sides of channels in areas with strong currents.
The large, jagged primary spines, are often eroded and covered by sessile invertebrates, the plate-like secondary spines form a corona-like structure around the base of the primary spines.
Bathers should always use sturdy bathing shoes in areas with lance-shaped urchins, as spines can easily pierce the skin and cause painful injuries.
