description Breynia australasiae Overview
Breynia australasiae is a species of heart urchin, a burrowing marine echinoid in the family Loveniidae. It has a spiny test and occurs in shallow waters of the Australasian region; records identify the lagoon of Lord Howe Island as an important locality, while sightings along the New South Wales mainland are less common. The species can reach about 12 centimetres in length and has been recorded from depths of roughly 0 to 10 metres.
help Breynia australasiae FAQ
What kind of animal is Breynia australasiae?
Breynia australasiae is a heart urchin, a burrowing marine echinoid in the family Loveniidae. It has a spiny test and lives in shallow Australasian waters.
Where can Breynia australasiae be found?
Records identify the lagoon of Lord Howe Island as an important locality for this species. More broadly, it occurs in shallow waters around the Australasian region.
Does Breynia australasiae live on the seafloor or in the sand?
As a burrowing heart urchin, it spends much of its time below or within seafloor sediment rather than moving openly like a typical round sea urchin. Its spiny test is adapted to its echinoid body plan and buried marine lifestyle.
Is Breynia australasiae a true sea urchin?
Yes, it is an echinoid, the group that includes sea urchins and heart urchins. Unlike familiar spherical sea urchins, Breynia australasiae has the heart-urchin form associated with burrowing.
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