description Echinocardium cordatum Overview
Echinocardium cordatum, commonly known as the heart urchin or sea potato, is a species of burrowing sea urchin in the family Loveniidae. First described by Thomas Pennant in 1777, it inhabits sandy substrates in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Unlike regular sea urchins, it has a fuzzy, heart-shaped test and uses specialized spines to dig backward into the sand, where it filters detritus for food.
help Echinocardium cordatum FAQ
Why is Echinocardium cordatum called the sea potato?
Echinocardium cordatum is commonly known as the sea potato or heart urchin due to its distinct, furry, heart-shaped shell. Unlike regular sea urchins, it lives buried deep beneath the sandy substrates of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean.
How deep does the heart urchin burrow into the sand?
The heart urchin is a specialized burrowing species that digs itself up to 15 centimeters or more beneath the sand. It uses its specialized spines and tube feet to excavate the sediment and maintain a respiratory shaft to the surface.
What does the Echinocardium cordatum eat?
Echinocardium cordatum is a deposit feeder that consumes organic detritus found within the sand. It ingests the sediment, absorbs the nutritious particles, and expels the rest, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem of the northeastern Atlantic.
Who first scientifically described the sea potato?
The species was first described by the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant in 1777. It belongs to the family Loveniidae and is closely related to other irregular echinoids that have adapted to a burrowing lifestyle.
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