Long spined sea urchin

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Theme area: Marine Research Laboratory

Scientific name: Diadema antillarum

Class: Invertebrates

Continent:

, Asia

, Europe

Habitat: Rivers

Diet: Omnivore

Weight: -

Size: 10–12 cm in length

Diadema antillarum, also known as the lime urchin, black sea urchin or the long-spined sea urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the Family Diadematidae.
This sea urchin is characterized by its exceptionally long black spines.

It is the most abundant and important herbivore on the coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean basin. When the population of these sea urchins is at a healthy level, they are the main grazers which prevent algae overgrowth of the reef.

Diadema antillarum has a test, or "shell," similar to most other sea urchins. What distinguishes the Diadema is the length of its spines. Most sea urchin spines are 1–3 cm, but the spines in this species are usually 10–12 cm in length, and can grow as long as 30 cm in very large individuals.

Conservation status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated