description Strongylocentrotus fragilis Overview
Strongylocentrotus fragilis is a sea urchin found in deep waters of the northeastern Pacific Ocean, particularly off the western coast of North America. Commonly called the fragile sea urchin, it has a rounded test covered by movable spines and lives on soft seafloor habitats beyond the shallow coastal zone. Like other regular sea urchins, it moves using tube feet and spines and feeds on organic material available on or near the seabed.
help Strongylocentrotus fragilis FAQ
Where does Strongylocentrotus fragilis live?
The fragile sea urchin lives in the northeastern Pacific, especially on deep continental-slope and soft-seafloor habitats. Research commonly places it across roughly 200 to 1,200 metres, rather than in shallow tide pools.
What is another name for Strongylocentrotus fragilis?
It is commonly called the fragile sea urchin or fragile pink sea urchin. Older literature may use the genus name Allocentrotus, so Allocentrotus fragilis is a name you may see for the same species.
How does this urchin move and feed on the seafloor?
Like other echinoderms, it uses tube feet and movable spines to grip and travel across the bottom, while its mouthparts scrape or collect food. Its soft-bottom deep-sea setting distinguishes it from the familiar shallow-water red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus.
Is Strongylocentrotus fragilis a red sea urchin?
No. The fragile pink urchin is Strongylocentrotus fragilis, while the red sea urchin is a different species, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, even though both occur in the northeastern Pacific.
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Similar to Strongylocentrotus fragilis
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