Eucidaris thouarsii | |
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Eucidaris thouarsii in the Gulf of California | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Echinoidea |
Order: | Cidaroida |
Family: | Cidaridae |
Genus: | Eucidaris |
Species: | E. thouarsii |
Binomial name | |
Eucidaris thouarsii (Agassiz & Desor, 1846) | |
Eucidaris thouarsii, the slate pencil urchin (named after slate pencil), is a species of cidaroid sea urchins that inhabits littoral regions of the East Pacific Ocean. [1] [2]
Eucidaris thouarsii is found in the East Pacific at depths of 0–45 m (0–148 ft), ranging from Baja California to Panama, as well as Cocos Island, Clipperton Island and the Galápagos Islands. [3] [4] [5] The Galápagos, Clipperton and Cocos populations are now often recognized as a separate species, E. galapagensis , instead of a subspecies of E. thouarsii. [6]
Like all urchins these are primarily herbivores, but feed on a wide range of invertebrates. [7] This species has a high nutrient absorption efficiency when it comes to the coral Pocillopora damicornis, but would require a large intake to make nutrient requirements. [8] Due to its high intake of coral, it reduces reef growth. [9]