Echinometra mathaei, Ha'apai Is, Tonga, Photo: Andrew Green
Echinometra mathaei, Lord Howe is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Echinometra mathaei, NSW, Australia, Photo: Ian Shaw
Distribution
Temperate Australasia, Tropical Indo-Pacific
Description
This species has a different shape to other local sea urchins, with short fat primary spines which often have a white circle around the base. Because it can bore into limestone rock, it forms large aggregations on calcareous reefs in the zone of greatest wave action just below low water mark, including at Rottnest I.
Information
Max Size: 9 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 19.1-30.7°C
Depth: 0-34m
Habitat: Coral Reef, Rocky Reef
Rarity
IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Common (25% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution.
It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Many (20 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney
Copyright to the photographs on this site belongs solely to the credited photographers. Any requests for usage can be directed to the photographer through
enquiries@reeflifesurvey.com.