West Indian Sea Egg
Tripneustes ventricosus
16.7584, -87.7748
Field Notes
Description:
Size: Body up to 15 cm. Spines up to 2 cm.
A large bodied urchin with short thick white spines. The body color is usually black, but can occasionally be a brownish-purple color or white.
Habitat:
Ranguana Cay, Belize
Found in seagrass beds and the shallower reefs. It uses seagrass leaves and all kinds of debris to camouflage itself.
Notes:
Populations in some areas have declined because of overharvesting for their roe (eggs). Found in most areas and at depths from 0-30 feet. They feed on algae which cleans rock surfaces. This cleaning process gives corals a solid surface to attach to. It is believed that they cover themselves with leaves, rocks, shells and other debris to protect themselves from the sun.
Reference Links:
Tripneustes ventricosus
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedNovember 23, 2013
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