Cidaris cidaris

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Long-spined slate pen sea-urchin
French : Oursin-lance gris

Classification
Class : Echinoidea
Order : Cidaroida
Family : Cidaridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The test has a diameter of 7 cm and the main spines can reach a length over 14 cm. Spines are very thick and pencil-like. Test coloration light beige to almost white, spines can be brown to almost red.

Range and habitat
Eastern Atlantic from Norway to Azores, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. Occurs on rocks but also on sandy and muddy bottoms, usually below 50 meters and down to nearly 1000 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species occurs at great depth where habitat isn’t too altered despite of deep-sea net fishing.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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