Phyllacanthus irregularis

Cidaridae
Western Slate-pencil Urchin
  • Phyllacanthus irregularis, Rottnest Is, WA, Photo: Andrew Green
    Phyllacanthus irregularis, Rottnest Is, WA, Photo: Andrew Green
  • Phyllacanthus irregularis, Rottnest is, WA, Photo: Andrew Green
    Phyllacanthus irregularis, Rottnest is, WA, Photo: Andrew Green
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Very similar in general appearance to P. parvispinus and lives in a similar habitat. It can, however, be distinguished from the eastern species by possessing small pointed spinelets at the top of the test, rather than broad and scale-like spinelets. It is most commonly found in shallow undercut caves in limestone reefs.
Information
  • Max Size: 11 cm
  • Sea Temperature Range: 13.3-23.5°C
  • Depth: 1-20m
  • Habitat: Rocky Reef
Rarity
  • IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
  • Occurrence: Widespread (54% 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: Few (3 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
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