Diadema setosum

(Leske, 1778)

Vernacular names
English : Diadem urchin
French : Oursin diadème commun

Classification
Class : Echinoidea
Order : Diadematoida
Family : Diadematidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a test diameter of 7 cm with an extra 20 cm of long thin and hollow spines. Test and spines are mostly black although spines can be clearer. Five white dots can be seen on test, orange ring on periproctal cone (anus).

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to south Japan and north Australia. Lives in sand flats, seagrass beds and coral reefs, down to 70 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species hasn’t been assessed by IUCN but seems to be very common within its range. It has recently colonized east Mediterranean sea.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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