description Spatangus purpureus Overview
Spatangus purpureus is a species of irregular sea urchin in the family Spatangidae, first described by the Danish naturalist Otto Friedrich Müller in 1776. Commonly known as the purple heart urchin, it inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Like other heart urchins (order Spatangoida), it has an elongated, heart-shaped test covered in dense, fine spines and lives buried in sediment, feeding on organic particles gathered from the surrounding substrate.
help Spatangus purpureus FAQ
Where is the Spatangus purpureus sea urchin typically found?
The purple heart urchin, scientifically known as Spatangus purpureus, is primarily found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It thrives along these coastal marine environments, often burrowing deep into the sandy ocean floor.
Who originally described the Spatangus purpureus species?
The species was originally described by the Danish zoologist O.F. Müller in 1776. It belongs to the Spatangidae family, which encompasses various species of irregular sea urchins commonly referred to as heart urchins.
What type of habitat does the purple heart urchin live in?
Spatangus purpureus is a benthic marine animal that lives submerged in coarse sand, gravel, or mud. This infaunal lifestyle protects the urchin from predators and strong currents while it feeds on organic detritus.
What does the Spatangus purpureus look like?
As its common name suggests, the purple heart urchin has a distinctly heart-shaped test (shell) that often displays a deep purple or reddish-brown coloration. Unlike regular sea urchins, it is covered in dense, fine, backward-pointing spines that aid in burrowing through the sediment.
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