General Description

A large oval shaped heart urchin with yellow-brown spines.

Biology

Small specimens of this species occasionally wash ashore. It is a non selective detritivore that relies on ingesting sea floor sediment for its diet, extracting nutrients as it slowly moves forward in its burrow. It is capable of burying to 30cm deep.

Habitat

Buried in coarse sand, in subtidal areas, to depths greater than 100 m.

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern and eastern Australia, excluding Tasmania. Eastern Victoria, potentially near Port Phillip.

Species Group

Sea urchins

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Harmful

Spines can puncture skin. Venom status unknown.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 3891

Identify

• Sea Urchins

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed