Slate pencil sea urchin

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library

Slate pencil sea urchin

Slate pencil sea urchin (Heterocentrotus sp.) on a reef. The sea urchin is a marine invertebrate of the phylum Echinodermata that includes starfish. Like a starfish, a sea urchin has five-fold radial symmetry. The arms have fused to form a spherical shell from which protective spines protrude. Here, the spines are thick to withstand the turbulent water of its shallow water habitat. This urchin is named for the fact that its spines were used to write on blackboards. A sea urchin uses tube feet on its underside to crawl over rocks. Its mouth is also on its underside, and its five jaws scrape up algae (microscopic plants) growing on the rock. Photographed in the Red Sea

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Media ID 6466295

© PETER SCOONES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Coral Reef Echinoderm Echinodermata Forager Foraging Grazer Grazing Herbivore Herbivorous Indo Pacific Red Sea Rock Sea Urchin Tropics

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the beauty of a Slate pencil sea urchin in its natural habitat on a vibrant coral reef. As a marine invertebrate belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, this sea urchin shares similarities with starfish, displaying five-fold radial symmetry. Its arms have fused together to create a spherical shell adorned with thick spines that serve as protection against the turbulent waters of its shallow water home. Interestingly, this particular species of sea urchin derives its name from its historical use - their spines were once utilized as writing instruments for blackboards. With tube feet on its underside, it gracefully crawls over rocks while using its mouth and five jaws to scrape up algae growing on these surfaces. This herbivorous behavior allows it to sustain itself by consuming microscopic plants found within its environment. Photographed in the mesmerizing Red Sea, this image showcases not only the intricate details of the slate pencil sea urchin but also highlights the diverse ecosystem thriving beneath the ocean's surface. The tropical setting adds an element of exoticism and further emphasizes how vital these creatures are for maintaining balance within their marine community. With elements such as nature, animal life, wildness, grazing habits, zoology, and underwater exploration coming together seamlessly in this photograph by Science Photo Library – viewers are transported into an enchanting world where even seemingly simple organisms like sea urchins play crucial roles in sustaining our planet's biodiversity.

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