General Description

The dark brown, blunt-ended spines have a granular appearance and older, larger specimens may become encrusted with marine life. The test is usually pale cream or greenish in colour and the very large tubercles, of which there are comparatively few, are perforate. Test diameter up to 8 cm.

Biology

This is a common, very robust, slow moving species. A similar species Phyllacanthus irregularis grows much larger and is found in South and Western Australia.

Habitat

Subtidal areas or at very low spring tides wedged between rocks, to depth of 91 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Eastern Australia.

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

8 cm

Diet

Omnivore

Harmful

Spines can puncture skin. Venom status unknown.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 4000

Identify

• Sea Urchins

Conservation Status

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