species: Parasalenia gratiosa in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Parasalenia gratiosa


©Anne Hoggett: Parasalenia gratiosa at Lizard Island lagoon entrance at night. Test diameter is about 2.5 cm.

©Anne Hoggett: Parasalenia gratiosa at Lizard Island lagoon entrance at night. Close-up of anal area showing only 4 periproct plates (one is marked with red arrow).

©Anne Hoggett: Parasalenia gratiosa, Lizard Island lagoon.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoidea
Order Camarodonta
Family Parasaleniidae
Genus Parasalenia
Species Parasalenia gratiosa
Status unspecified

Colours

              

Distinguishing features

A very small urchin with an oval test and solid spines about as long as the longest diameter of the test. Spines are dark, not banded (except indistinctly in small individuals), often with a white ring at the base. There are only 4 periproct plates (rarely 3 or 5) but this is not a useful field character.

Size

  • Up to 3 cm (Test diameter)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia: This species is quite abundant at Lizard Island but it is not noticeable because of its small size and cryptic nature. It emerges slightly from the reef at night.

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