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Green Sea Urchin

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (O. F. Müller 1776)

Morphology

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Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis acquire their common name, "green sea urchin" from the green outer shell. All sea urchins have an exoskeleton made of calcitic plates rooted into their skin. The solid exoskeleton, or the test, is composed of several plates that are tightly bound together. The mouth is located in the center of the peristomial membrane. This membrane is composed of a flexible collogenous skin that is tough and serves as a type of lip-like structure. Teeth are found in the mouth to help tear off food to eat. Another structure that is commonly found with almost all sea urchins is the pedicellaria, tiny stalked valves used to keep the surface of the sea urchin clean by removing small particles it encounters. Sea urchins have spines and tubes that serve roles in acquiring food, protection and respiration. The tube-feet on the sea urchins are a type of suction discs that allow them to adhere onto other organisms or substances. They have also have an internal skeleton called the stereom.

Green sea urchins are very small, compact animals that usually do not exceed a length of 8 cm. The average size for a green sea urchin is about 7.8 cm. The larval forms are bilaterally symmetric. After metamorphosis they measure about 0.5 mm and are radially symmetric. The sexes are monomorphic.

Range length: 0.5 to 80 mm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry ; radial symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Conservation Status

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At this point, the green sea urchins and its habitat are not in any way threatened by the environment.

However, if green sea urchins were to be reduced in population, there would be mass amounts of kelp that would cause the water to be congested. This congestion does not allow boats to pass through the water. Therefore, it is important to preserve populations of this species.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
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Benefits

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There are no known adverse effects of green sea urchins on humans.

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Benefits

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This species is harvested for its roe, which is considered a delicacy in Japan.

Positive Impacts: food

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
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Trophic Strategy

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Green sea urchins feed on a wide variety of organisms, ranging from marine worms to sponges. However, this specific urchin particularly feed on a type of kelp known as Laminaria. Green sea urchins also eat bull kelp and green algae. Often, green sea urchins scrape the surface of rocks using their "Aristotle's lantern," or masticatory apparatus, in search of diatoms as well as algae. Whenever an urchin is injured, the other urchins immediately move away, but they return within a short time span to eat it.

Plant Foods: algae; macroalgae

Primary Diet: omnivore

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Distribution

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Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis inhabits colder temperatures of mostly northern oceans. Green sea urchins are found in coastal areas of Alaska to Washington, the western part of the Baltic Sea, on the coast of Korea, as well as in almost every other type of major marine habitats.

Biogeographic Regions: arctic ocean (Native ); atlantic ocean (Native ); pacific ocean (Native )

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Habitat

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Green sea urchins live primarily in areas with cold waters mainly in the northern hemisphere. Green sea urchins prefer living in rocky, or gravel areas, but they are mostly found in sandy, sea floor bottoms. Adults live in cold climates in water temperatures from 0 to 15 degrees Celsius. Green sea urchins are found between intertidal zones to about 1200 meters. The rate at which urchins take in or remove oxygen does not depend on water temperature.

The green sea urchin is one of the only urchins that has expanded into an environment of brackish water such as the Baltic Sea.

Average depth: 1200 m.

Habitat Regions: saltwater or marine

Aquatic Biomes: benthic ; coastal

Other Habitat Features: intertidal or littoral

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Stephanie Fabritius, Southwestern University
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Renee Sherman Mulcrone
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Reproduction

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Sexes of S. droebachiensis are separate, but monomorphic (similar in appearance). Green sea urchins, take several years to reach a point where they are sexually mature and capable of reproducing. For reproduction to occur there must be a large number of individuals. Reproduction occurs when both sperm and eggs are released simultaneously into the water column by both male and female urchins. There are about 100,000 to about 200,000 eggs released by female urchins. When these eggs are fertilized, they quickly form swimming larva known as echinopluteus, which feed off plankton. Then, slowly they mature into adult sea urchins. Urchins are about 0.5 mm after metamorphosis.

Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization (External ); oviparous

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Buitron, D. 2003. "Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_droebachiensis.html
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Dubelza Buitron, Southwestern University
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Comprehensive Description

provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
This particular species is widely distributed in northern waters. Usually this urchin is greenish with reddish brown tones scattered here and there. Tube feet are generally darker than the spines and usually purple. These urchins are radially symmetrical and its diameter is not more than twice its thickness. It has spines that are crowded, short and rather fine. The test may be 8.3 cm wide with the spines reaching around 2.5 cm. Key characteristics for these urchins are jaws that lack lateral teeth, an anus situated outside the apical system, radial symmetry, and more than three pore plates per ambulacral plate. The ridges on the spines have rounded surfaces and periodic sculpturings
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Comprehensive Description

provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
Biology/Natural History: S. droebachiensis feed on large algae such as bull kelp, green algae, and laminarians. They also scrape diatoms and coralline algae off rocks. They are harvested commercially for their roe, which is a delicacy in Japan. In the Gulf of Maine, males at widely separated populations seem to be release sperm at similar times, suggesting that they are responding to a widespread environmental signal. Spawning was most intense during full and new moon. However, extensive sperm release seems to occur mainly in large urchin swarms, suggesting that the presence of spawning of nearby urchins triggers spawning by others. In the Barents Sea, Russia, spawning peaks late February to April, in temperatures ranging from 0.4 to 1.8 C. Microsatellite analysis shows strong population differentiation between Pacific and Atlantic populations. This shows there is little gene flow between the Atlantic and Pacific populations. Johnson et al., demonstrated that several different fluorchromes persisted for months to years in the ossicles of S. droebachiensis and could be used to measure growth without harm to the animals.A MRI scan of the internal anatomy of this species, performed by Ziegler et al.,, is publically available.
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Look Alikes

provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Since juvenile S. purpuratus urchins may have pale green spines, S. droebachiensis may be mistaken for them. S. pallidus, a deep subtidal species, is a lighter green and its tube feet are as light or lighter than its spines.
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Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

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Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is commonly known as the green sea urchin because of its characteristic green color. It is commonly found in northern waters all around the world including both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to a northerly latitude of 81 degrees and as far south as Maine[1] (in the U.S.) and England. The average adult size is around 50 mm (2 in), but it has been recorded at a diameter of 87 mm (3.4 in). The green sea urchin prefers to eat seaweeds but will eat other organisms. They are eaten by a variety of predators, including sea stars, crabs, large fish, mammals, birds, and humans. The species name "droebachiensis" is derived from the name of the town Drøbak in Norway.[2]

Habitat

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is found on rocky substratum in the intertidal and up to depths of 1,150 meters (3,770 ft). It uses its strong Aristotle's lantern to burrow into rock, and then can widen its home with the spines. Usually, this sea urchin can leave its hole to find food and then return, but sometimes it creates a hole that gets bigger as it gets deeper, so that the opening is too small for S. droebachiensis to get out. S. droebachiensis is a euryhaline species, and can survive in waters of low salinity. This allows it to flourish in southern Puget Sound. Acclimation and size are important factors as larger individuals have a lower surface area to volume ratio and can handle the increased osmotic tension.[3]

Anatomy

Underside of S. droebacheinsis
S. droebachiensis righting itself

External anatomy

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is in the shape of a slightly flattened globe (dorsoventrally). The oral side rests against the substratum and the aboral side (the side with the anus) is in the opposite direction. It has pentameric symmetry, which is visible in the five paired rows of podia (tube feet) that run from the anus to the mouth. The size is calculated as the diameter of the test (the body not including the spines). This is a relatively fast growing sea urchin, and its age is generally calculable based on its size: one year for every 10 mm.[4]

Spines

The spines of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis are used for defense and locomotion and are not considered poisonous. The spines attach to small tubercles on the test where they are held in place by muscles creating a ball and socket joint. They are round, tapering to a point, with ridges around the outside in a fan-like design made of calcium carbonate. Usually, the longest spines are around the peripheral edge of the animal. If broken, the spines will regenerate, and if completely torn off, the tubercle will be reabsorbed to fit the slowly growing spine.

Tube feet

Tube feet are a structure that help Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis attach to the substratum for stabilization or locomotion, or to move loose food particles to the mouth. The tube feet are quite flexible and can extend beyond the length of the spikes to reach the substratum or attach onto particles floating in the water. They come out of five pairs of rows through the test structure.

The tube feet of S. droebachiensis are actually composed of two parts: the ampulla and the podium. The ampulla is a hollow bulbous structure that raises the tube foot above the skeletal plates that surround the lateral canal. The podia extend off the ampulla and contain the muscular suckered structure used for attachment. The movement of the tube foot depends on the hydraulic pressure of the water vascular system, and individual muscle action. When the ampulla contracts, it forces the liquid into the podia which elongates. Once the podia has attached itself to the substrate, the longitudinal muscles of the podia constrict forcing that liquid back into the ampulla causing the podia to shrink and pulling the body in that direction, or food closer to the mouth. Tube feet that have been pulled off as the sea urchin is thrown around by the sea will quickly regenerate.

Pedicellariae

Echinoderms of the classes Asteroidea (sea stars) and Echinoidea (sea urchins/sand dollars) have three small pincher-like jaws held up by a calcareous stalk, called pedicellariae, at the base of the spines on the body. These have the ability to respond to outside stimuli separately from the main nervous system. Historically thought of as parasites or larvae of the sea urchin, it is now commonly believed that the pedicellariae are actually part of the living creature. The muscles that control them are outside of the test, and therefore must get nutrients from a different source: they have possibly developed the ability to absorb nutrients directly from the surrounding water.

Pedicellariae are used by the sea urchin by keeping detritus from collecting on the body, or collecting kelp to use as a defense from the drying abilities of the sunlight. Their pinching jaws can even be used to defend against possible predators, and some are even poisonous on S. droebachiensis. If the spikes are lightly touched, they converge toward the pressure, but if they are strongly pushed, then they spread apart so that the pedicellariae can pinch the intruder. One of the four main types of pedicellariae on S. droebachiensis is actually poisonous and can be used for defense, or to paralyze small fish (although this species prefers algae, it will catch and eat fish for supplemental food).

Test

Twenty curved plates, or ossicles, are fused together to form a rigid test or exoskeleton. They are made of calcium carbonate, and have two rows of holes for the tube feet to pass through. If the test is cracked or chunks are removed, calcium carbonate will slowly fill in the gaps left behind until a complete and rigid test is regained.

Internal anatomy

Water vascular system

The water vascular system is a series of canals through which fluid moves to help propel the podia of the sea urchin. The fluid that fills the water vascular system is similar to marine water, but also has free wandering cells and organic compounds such as proteins and a high concentration of potassium ions when compared to the surrounding sea water. This liquid is moved through the system by cilia that line the inside of the canal and help keep the fluid moving in the desired direction.

The structure of the water vascular system contains several calcareous parts before moving to the podia. The first is called the madreporite. This is a skeletal plate, or sieve, opening to the water vascular system, located on the aboral surface. Just underneath the madreporite, is a cup-like depression called the ampulla. Next the stone canal carries the liquid into the central disc of the urchin. Finally, five lateral canals run along the inside of the test and converge at the aboral pole. Along this entire distance, tube feet emerge from the lateral canal through the test to outside the epidermis of the sea urchin.

Aristotle's lantern

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis eats by using a special appendage called an Aristotle’s lantern to scrape or tear their food into digestible bits. This structure is made of five calcareous, protractible teeth that are maneuvered by a complex muscular structure. The sea urchin crawls on top of its food and uses the Aristotle's lantern to tear up and masticate chunks of it. If food lands on the aboral surface or is caught by pedicellariae, then it is carried via podia to the mouth and devoured in the same manner.

Digestive system

The digestive system begins with the Aristotle’s lantern, where the food enters the body of the sea urchin. An esophagus extends from the mouth through the center of the Aristotle’s lantern, where it joins up with an intestine. The intestine is arranged in little bundles that adhere to the inside of the test in a counter-clockwise circuit around the Aristotle’s lantern. Once the intestine gets back to itself, it doubles over itself and reverses directions in a second clockwise direction. Digestive enzymes are produced by the intestinal walls and breakdown of food is almost completely extracellular. From the intestine, what is left of the food moves out of the intestine into the short rectum, and out the anus. S. droebachiensis gets its green color from the pigments of its plant food.

Nervous system

In the nervous system of sea urchins the spines, podia, and pedicellariae all act as sensors. A circular nerve ring encircles the esophagus, and radial nerves extend inside of the test parallel to the lateral canals of the water vascular system. Sensory neurons in the epidermis can detect touch, chemicals, and light, and are usually associated with pedicellariae or spines.

Reproduction and development

Sea urchins are dioecious, meaning they either contain male or female reproductive organs. They contain five gonads tucked under the test. These are located close to the anus and are protected by genital plates. One of these plates is perforated, and also acts as the madreporite. Sea urchins all release their eggs or sperm directly into the water column at the same time to ensure fertilization. It is not understood what causes S. droebachiensis to release their sperm or eggs, but it may have to do with temperature, because they usually reproduce in early spring.

Once fertilized, the gamete grows via mitosis and eventually becomes a larva capable of simple swimming called an echinoplutes. The metamorphosis from larva to a radially symmetrical adult is hugely complex, and only some of the more basic details are included here. The larva swims to the appropriate substratum where it attaches, usually with the “left and right” sides of the larva, becoming the “mouth and anus” sides.[5] The embryonic openings for the mouth and the anus disappear completely, and new openings are created in the proper position. The ring canal grows radial extensions becoming the lateral canals. At this point in development, the sea urchin settles down to a benthic life.

Ecology

Snails of the families Melanellidae and Stiliferidae live on the surface of the test and adhere their own eggs to the base of the spines as protection.

S. droebachiensis feeds on algae, preferring species like Sargassum muticum and Mazzaella japonica over Saccharina latissima, Ulva, and Chondracanthus exasperatus.[6]

In coastal Nova Scotia, a disease known as paramoebiasis can cause mass mortality events in S. droebachiensis, and exert a major control on abundance.[7] Paramoebiasis is caused by a protist, Paramoeba invadens, which is a member of the taxon Amoebozoa.[8] Mass mortality events are strongly associated with water temperature (threshold ~12°C), but it is thought that storms may play a role in introducing the amoeba to susceptible populations.[9]

As food

The green urchin is edible, and is known to have been eaten by the Native peoples of New Brunswick from archaeological remains.[10] It is harvested and eaten year round by the Inuit of the Belcher Islands.[11]

It is also harvested for export in, among other places, Newfoundland and Labrador, Iceland and Norway. In France, the urchin is often found as a part of the Plateau de fruits de mer.

It has been used in fine dining by chefs such as René Redzepi in raw and cured forms. [12]

Fishing methods

The green urchin is fished using different techniques.

In Iceland, Breiðafjörður, it is trawled at from 8 to 30 meters depth. The fishery is regulated. [13]

In Norway, small quantities are fished by hand by freedivers and SCUBA-divers. The fishery is not regulated, and the green sea urchin is considered a pest in the Norwegian waters, eating up the kelp forest.[14] It is not common to find the green sea urchin south of Hitra, and the urchin population is moving northward as water temperatures increase.[15]

In Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia), fishing is by SCUBA-divers in a regulated fishery. [16]

In the USA, regulations vary depending on state. In Maine, it is both trawled and fished by SCUBA depending on the specific location. The peak season in Maine is September-March. The fishery is regulated. [17] In Washington State, it is fished by divers in a regulated fishery. [18]

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Sea Urchins - Science and Research Species Information: Maine Department of Marine Resources". www.maine.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  2. ^ "drøbakkråkebolle". Store Norske Leksikon. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  3. ^ J. Campbell and M.P. Russell. 2003. Acclimation and growth response of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis to fluctuating salinity. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sea Urchin Fisheries and Aquaculture, pp. 110-117. DEStech Publications, Inc.
  4. ^ Hyman, Libbie Henrietta. The Invertebrates: Echinodermata The Coelomate Bilateria. 1955.
  5. ^ Brusca, Richard C. & Brusca, Gary J. Invertebrates. 2003.
  6. ^ Pawluk, Kylee Ann (3 May 2016). Impacts and interactions of two non-indigenous seaweeds Mazzaella japonica (Mikami) Hommersand and Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt in Baynes Sound, British Columbia (PDF). Victoria, BC: University of Victoria. OCLC 951012535. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Paramoeba invadens of Sea Urchins". www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  8. ^ Feehan, C.J., Johnson-Mackinnon, J., Scheibling, R.E., Lauzon-Guay, J.-S. & Simpson A.G.B. (2013) Validating the identity of Paramoeba invadens, the causative agent of recurrent mass mortality of sea urchins in Nova Scotia. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 103:209-227 https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02577
  9. ^ Scheibling, R.E. & Hennigar, A.W. (1997) Recurrent outbreaks of disease in sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis in Nova Scotia: Evidence for a link with large-scale meteorologic and oceanographic events. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 152:155-165 https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/152/m152p155.pdf
  10. ^ Lawrence, J.M. (2006). Edible Sea Urchins: Biology and Ecology. Elsevier Science. p. 1. ISBN 9780080465586. Retrieved 2015-01-04.
  11. ^ Stewart, D.B., and Lockhart, W.L. 2005. An overview of the Hudson Bay marine ecosystem. Page 14-5. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2586: vi + 487 p
  12. ^ Lidz, Franz. "Rise of the Sea Urchin". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  13. ^ "Sea urchin harvesting industry in Iceland, management and legislations" (PDF). The Urchin Project. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  14. ^ "Kråkebollene ødelegger for fiskebestanden" [Sea urchins are destroying the fish stock]. NRK (in Norwegian). 4 November 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  15. ^ "Kråkebollene pigger nordover" [Sea urchins are moving northwards]. Forskning (in Norwegian). 7 January 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  16. ^ "Green Sea Urchin". Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 19 December 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  17. ^ "Maine Seafood Guide - Sea Urchin - Maine Sea Grant - University of Maine". Maine Sea Grant. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  18. ^ "Commercial sea urchin fishery | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife". wdfw.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-14.

References

  • Brusca, Richard C., and Brusca, Gary J. Invertebrates. 2nd. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, MA 2003.
  • Brusca, Richard C., and Brusca, Gary J. Invertebrates. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Publishers Sunderland. Massachusetts 2003
  • Hyman, Libbie Henrietta. The Invertebrates: Echinodermata The coelomate Bilateria. Volume IV. McGraw-Hill Book Company. London 1955
  • Kozloff, Eugene N. Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest. 2nd. University of Washington Press. Seattle 1996.
  • Kozloff, Eugene N. Seashore Life: of the Northern Pacific Coast. University of Washington Press. Seattle 1993

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Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is commonly known as the green sea urchin because of its characteristic green color. It is commonly found in northern waters all around the world including both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to a northerly latitude of 81 degrees and as far south as Maine (in the U.S.) and England. The average adult size is around 50 mm (2 in), but it has been recorded at a diameter of 87 mm (3.4 in). The green sea urchin prefers to eat seaweeds but will eat other organisms. They are eaten by a variety of predators, including sea stars, crabs, large fish, mammals, birds, and humans. The species name "droebachiensis" is derived from the name of the town Drøbak in Norway.

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Breeding

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Echinopluteus larva. January to May

Reference

7. Blue Planet Biomes (May, 2009) http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/andean_condor.htm

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Diet

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Basically herbivorous but also ingests encrusting invertebrates including young Mytilus.

Reference

North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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Distribution

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Arctic to New Jersey; Alaska to Puget Sound

Reference

North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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Distribution

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Circumpolar

Reference

Hayward, P.J. & J.S. Ryland (Eds.). (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK. 627 pp.

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Distribution

provided by World Register of Marine Species
From low intertidal, down to more than 200 m depth, on rocky and stony shores and offshore rough grounds, Scotland, Sshetland, northeast coast of England and northern North Sea

Reference

7. Blue Planet Biomes (May, 2009) http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/andean_condor.htm

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Habitat

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midlittoral, bathyal, infralittoral and circalittoral of the Gulf and estuary

Reference

North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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