Eucidaris thouarsii explained

Eucidaris thouarsii, the slate pencil urchin, is a species of cidaroid sea urchins that inhabits littoral regions of the East Pacific Ocean.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution and habitat

Eucidaris thouarsii is found in the East Pacific at depths of 0-, ranging from Baja California to Panama, as well as Cocos Island, Clipperton Island and the Galápagos Islands.^{[3] [4] [5]} The Galápagos, Clipperton and Cocos populations are now often recognized as a separate species, E. galapagensis, instead of a subspecies of E. thouarsii.^[6]

Diet

Like all urchins these are primarily herbivores, but feed on a wide range of invertebrates.^[7] This species has a high nutrient absorption efficiency when it comes to the coral Pocillopora damicornis, but would require a large intake to make nutrient requirements.^[8] Due to its high intake of coral, it reduces reef growth.^[9]

External links

• Web site: Details for: Eucidaris thouarsii. 2013-07-23. Encyclopedia of Life. eol.org. Encyclopedia of Life.
• Web site: Details for: Eucidaris thouarsii. Kroh, A. . Mooi, R.. World Echinoidea Database.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Details for: Eucidaris thouarsii. 2013-07-23. Encyclopedia of Life. eol.org. Encyclopedia of Life.
2. Web site: Details for: Eucidaris thouarsii. 2013-07-23. Kroh, A. . Mooi, R.. World Echinoidea Database.
3. Glynn, Wellington, and Birkeland (1979). Coral reef growth in the Galapagos: limitation by sea urchins. Science. 203(4375): 47-49.
4. [Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]
5. Reyes-Bonilla, and Calderon-Aguilera (2002). Population Density, Distribution and Consumption Rates of Three Corallivores at Cabo Pulmo Reef, Gulf of California, Mexico. Marine Ecology 20(3-4).
6. Lessios, Kessing, Robertson, and Paulay (1999). Phylogeography of the pantropical sea urchin Eucidaris in relation to land barriers and ocean currents. Evolution 53: 806-817.
7. Baumiller. Tomasz K.. 2008. Crinoid Ecological Morphology. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 36. 221–49. 2008AREPS..36..221B. 10.1146/annurev.earth.36.031207.124116.
8. Lawrence. John M.. Glynn. Peter W.. 1984-01-01. Absorption of nutrients from the coral Pocillopora damicornis (L.) by the echinoid Eucidaris thouarsii (val.). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A. English. 77. 1. 111–112. 10.1016/0300-9629(84)90020-3. 0300-9629.
9. Glynn. Peter W.. Wellington. Gerard M.. Birkeland. Charles. 1979-01-05. Coral Reef Growth in the Galápagos: Limitation by Sea Urchins. Science. en. 203. 4375. 47–49. 10.1126/science.203.4375.47. 0036-8075. 17840510. 1979Sci...203...47G.