species: Eucidaris metularia in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Eucidaris metularia


©Anne Hoggett: Eucidaris metularia found under rubble on the outer slope of Yonge Reef near Lizard Island. Test diameter is about 1 cm.

©Anne Hoggett: Eucidaris metularia found under rubble on the outer slope of Yonge Reef near Lizard Island. Test diameter is about 1 cm.

©Anne Hoggett: Eucidaris metularia at North Point, Lizard Island. Test diameter 2.5 cm.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoidea
Order Cidaroida
Family Cidaridae
Genus Eucidaris
Species Eucidaris metularia

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

Cidarids are commonly called pencil urchins for their thick spines. There are only three cidarid species known from the Lizard Island area and they are easily distinguished from each other.

Eucidaris metularia is the smallest of the three, with horizontal test diameter less than 30 mm. Unlike the other species, the plates of the apical area (uppermost part of the test) are conspicuous because the area is largely devoid of small spines.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Eucidaris metularia is always hidden deeply within the reef, at least during the day.

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.