zoom_in Click to enlarge

Sterechinus antarcticus

▲ ▼

description Sterechinus antarcticus Overview

Sterechinus antarcticus is a species of regular sea urchin that inhabits the cold, benthic environments of the Southern Ocean. First described by the French zoologist René Koehler in 1901, it belongs to the family Echinidae and is well-adapted to survive in freezing Antarctic waters. This echinoid is recognized as a prominent and ecologically significant species within its habitat, serving as a key grazer on the seafloor. Marine biologists frequently study its population dynamics to monitor the health and impacts of climate change on Antarctic marine ecosystems.

help Sterechinus antarcticus FAQ

Where does Sterechinus antarcticus live?

Sterechinus antarcticus lives on the seafloor in cold parts of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. It is a benthic regular sea urchin adapted to polar marine conditions.

When was Sterechinus antarcticus first described?

The species was first described by the French zoologist René Koehler in 1901. It belongs to the family Echinidae.

How does Sterechinus antarcticus survive Antarctic conditions?

Its physiology is adapted to very cold seawater, where many temperate sea urchins would struggle to function. As a benthic species, it feeds and moves on the seafloor rather than living in the open water.

What kind of sea urchin is Sterechinus antarcticus?

It is a regular sea urchin, meaning its body has a roughly radial form with the mouth on the underside and the anus on the upper side. That body plan is typical of grazing and deposit-feeding urchins that move across the seabed.

swap_horiz

Looking for Sterechinus antarcticus alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward