Amblypneustes ovum

Amblypneustes ovum
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Size: 6 cm

Distribution: SA coastal and gulf waters East to Port Lincoln

Habitat: Algae and seagrass beds. Occasionally rocky reef.

Depth: Subtidal to 10+ metres

This species of sea urchin is usually found draped in sea lettuce (Ulva) or other algae. It has uniformly dark primary spines amongst thickets of tiny white secondary spines. Its tube feet are organised in bands between the spines and are white in colour. It is easily mistaken for other Amblypneustes species but the uniformly dark spines distinguish it, particularly from the more common A. elevatus, which also has yellow-tipped tube feet.


Further Reference

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