Mellita sexiesperforata (six-keyhole sand dollar) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas)

Description :

Description: Leodia sexiesperforata (Leske, 1778) - six-keyhole sand dollar (dead) on subtidal seafloor. Compared with sea urchins, sand dollars (irregular echinoids) have flattened skeletons (tests), which are made of interlocking calcareous plates. During life, sand dollar tests are covered in short, fur-like spines. They live below the substrate, buried in sediments (infaunal). They are omnivores, feeding on tiny invertebrates and algae, and detritivores. Classification: Animalia, Echinodermata, Echinoidea, Clypeasteroida, Mellitidae Locality: west of Bamboo Point, northern Fernandez Bay, offshore western San Salvador Island, eastern Bahamas. Date: 23 June 2010, 15:03. Source: Mellita sexiesperforata (six-keyhole sand dollar) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas). Author: James St. John.