description Clypeaster australasiae Overview
Clypeaster australasiae is a species of sea biscuit, an irregular type of sea urchin in the family Clypeasteridae. First described by British zoologist William Elford Leach in 1815, these flattened echinoderms inhabit sandy substrates in the Indo-Pacific region. Like other sea biscuits, they are adapted for burrowing in sediment, with specialized tube feet and a distinctive bilateral symmetry unlike their more rounded relatives.
help Clypeaster australasiae FAQ
What is Clypeaster australasiae?
Clypeaster australasiae is a species of sea biscuit, which is an irregular sea urchin. It belongs to the family Clypeasteridae.
Who first described Clypeaster australasiae, and when?
British zoologist William Elford Leach first described it in 1815. That date places the formal species description in the early nineteenth century.
Where does Clypeaster australasiae live?
It lives on sandy substrates in the Indo-Pacific region. Its flattened body is associated with life on the sea floor rather than the upright shape people often associate with regular sea urchins.
Is Clypeaster australasiae a regular round sea urchin?
No, it is a flattened echinoderm commonly called a sea biscuit. The family name Clypeasteridae identifies its taxonomic group.
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