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The black sea urchin, also called a long-spined sea urchin, is the most abundant and important herbivore on the coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean basin. When the population of these sea urchins is at a healthy level, they are the main grazers which prevent algae overgrowth of the reef.
Diadema antillarum (black sea urchin)
Illustration of Acanthaster planci (Crown-of-Thorns starfish), which preys on corals.
Acanthaster planci (Crown-of-Thorns starfish)
Illustration of a holothurian or sea cucumber.
Holothurian 1
Purple sea urchin can grow up to 3 inches (7 cm) across and are found in the Pacific from Vancouver Island to Isla Cedra, Baja California and are prey to sea otters (among others). Photographed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
Sand dollars live below the average low water mark on top of or just beneath sandy or muddy surfaces. Spines on the somewhat flattened underside of the animal allow them to burrow or to slowly creep through the sand. Photographed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Sand dollars (Dendraster excentricus)
This starfish is in the collection at the Maui Ocean Center
Starfish
Illustration of Linckia laevigata (Blue Linckia)
Linckia laevigata (Blue Linckia)
Illustration of Lytechinus variegatus (Variegated Sea Urchin)
Lytechinus variegatus (Variegated Sea Urchin)
Front view illustration of a Long Spined Urchin. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region, in dark reef up to 30 ft deep. It is active at night, hiding in crevices or under rocks at night..
Echinothrix diadema (Long Spined Urchin)
Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) eating coral at a site monitored by the Palau International Coral Reef Center.
Crown of thorns starfish in Palau
Feather stars are related to starfish and sea urchins. They filter feed by catching particles from the water column with their extended tentacles.
Feather star on coral at one of the sites…
Feather stars are related to starfish and sea urchins. They filter feed by catching particles from the water column with their extended tentacles.
Feather stars on coral at one of the sites…
Starfish and macroalgae in a rocky intertidal area at Sea West, north of Morro Bay, California
Rocky intertidal area at Sea West, north of Morro…
Organisms living on rocks at Bass Harbor Head Light, Acadia National Park, Maine
Starfish, snails, and barnacles, Acadia National…
Ria Formosa, Portugal
Illustration of Pteraster tessalatus (Cushion Star)
Pteraster tessalatus (Cushion Star)
Illustration of an orange seastar
Seastar 3
Illustration of Pycnopodia helianthoides (Sunflower Seastar)
Pycnopodia helianthoides (Sunflower Seastar)
Illustration of Daisy Brittle Star (O. Aculeata)
Ophiopholis aculeata (Daisy Brittle Star)
Illustration of a blue seastar or starfish
Seastar 2
Illustration of a second Holothurian
Holothurian 2
Illustration of a seastar or starfish
Seastar 1

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