species: Echinometra mathaei in taxonomy (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Animalia > Echinodermata > Echinozoa > Echinoidea > Euechinoidea > Carinacea > Echinacea > Echinoida > Echinometridae > Echinometra > Echinometra mathaei (gallery)
Echinometra mathaei


©Anne Hoggett: Echinometra mathaei from under rubble slab at North Point, Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Echinometra mathaei from under rubble slab at North Point, Lizard Island.

©Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett: Echinometra mathaei at Lizard Island

show or add records

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoidea
Order Echinoida
Family Echinometridae
Genus Echinometra
Species Echinometra mathaei
Status least concern

Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

              

Distinguishing features

Echinometra mathaei is a small urchin with a dark, oval-shaped test and robust spines that taper to a pointed tip. Spine tips are often, but not always, white and the milled ring at the base of each spine is usually white.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Echinometra mathaei is found throughout the island group, usually in relatively shallow water. It is an important agent of bioerosion.

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.

Other references

  • Pichon, M. and J. Morrissey (1981). Benthic zonation and community structure of South Island Reef, Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef), Bulletin of Marine Science, 31(3): 581-593. LIRS catalog number 78.
  • Young, M.A.L. and D.R. Bellwood (2011). Diel patterns in sea urchin activity and predation on sea urchins on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 30: 729-736. LIRS catalog number 1483.
  • View all references