Clypeaster australasiae

Clypeaster australasiae
Preserved specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Echinodermata
Class:	Echinoidea
Order:	Clypeasteroida
Family:	Clypeasteridae
Genus:	Clypeaster
Species:	C. australasiae
Binomial name
Clypeaster australasiae (Gray, 1851)

Clypeaster australasiae, the Australasian sand dollar, is a species of sea urchins of the family Clypeasteridae. Their armour is covered with spines. Clypeaster australasiae was first scientifically described in 1851 by Gray. ^{[1] [2]}

Characteristics

Clypeaster australaiae is a dark red-brown to cream coloured animal with a slightly convex upper surface and distinct markings in a flower-petal pattern. The surface of the test is covered by a dense mat of small spines and tubercles. ^[2]

Live specimen in New Zealand.

Habitat

Silt, sand and reef to 130m depth. The animals can be abundant in some areas, but are not often seen as they usually bury themselves in the sediment and prefer deeper water. ^[2]

Distribution

Port Phillip Heads, Victoria, to Bowen, Queensland, and western Tasmania. Also Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. ^[2]

Size

Length up to 150mm. ^[2]

References

1. Kroh, A. (2010). Clypeaster australasiae (Gray, 1851). In: Kroh, A. & Mooi, R. (2010) World Echinoidea Database. at the World Register of Marine Species.
2. Edgar, Graham J. (2008). Australian Marine Life: The plants and animals of temperate waters (Second ed.). Sydney: New Holland. ISBN   9781921517174.