Temnopleurus toreumaticus (Leske, 1778)
Temnopleurus toreumaticus, commonly known as the Striped spine sea urchin, is a species of sea urchin that belongs to the family Temnopleuridae.
Current Status of Name :
This name is currently accepted taxonomically.
Rank : Species
Environment : Marine
Taxonomy Classification
- Kingdom : Animalia
- Phylum : Echinodermata
- Class : Echinoidea
- Order : Camarodonta
- Family : Temnopleuridae
- Genus : Temnopleurus
- Species : Temnopleurus toreumaticus
Temnopleurus toreumaticus
Description :
Morphology:
- Test (shell): Typically 3-6 cm in diameter, with a flattened and sculptured shape.
- Spines: Short, thick, and blunt, arranged in distinct vertical rows on the test.
- Color: Test color ranges from pale green to brown or reddish-brown, while the spines are typically lighter in color.
- Ambulacral areas: Narrow and straight, with small tube feet.
- Interambulacral areas: Wide, with large, sculpted tubercles (knobs) arranged in a distinct pattern.
- Peristome (mouth): Located on the underside, surrounded by five pairs of large, flattened teeth.
Anatomy:
- Water vascular system: Used for locomotion, feeding, and respiration.
- Digestive system: A simple gut consisting of an esophagus, stomach, and intestine.
- Reproductive system: Gonads located within the test, with separate sexes.
- Nervous system: Radial nerve ring and radial nerves controlling tube feet and spines.
Habitat and Distribution:
- Found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and southern Japan.
- Inhabits shallow coral reef environments, often found burrowed in coral rubble or sandy areas.
- Typically occurs at depths of 1-20 meters (3-66 feet).
Ecology and Behavior:
- Omnivorous, feeding on algae, coral polyps, and detritus.
- Uses its tube feet and spines to burrow and move around.
- Plays a role in bioerosion by grazing on coral structures.
- Exhibits a behavior known as “righting response” when overturned.
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
- Dioecious (separate male and female individuals).
- Reproduction occurs through external fertilization, with gametes released into the water column.
- Larvae undergo a planktonic stage before settling and metamorphosing into juveniles.
- Lifespan is typically several years, with some individuals living up to 10 years or more.
Conservation Status:
- The IUCN Red List has not assessed the conservation status of Temnopleurus toreumaticus.
- However, like many coral reef species, it may be threatened by habitat degradation, pollution, and other human-induced impacts.
This description covers the key aspects of the sculptured burrowing urchin, including its taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, habitat, distribution, ecology, behavior, reproduction, and conservation status within the phylum Echinodermata.