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)

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.

Animalia Echinodermata Echinoidea Diadematoida Diadematidae Diadema antillarum reef coral algae grazing abundance

Author(s)Jane Hawkey
Author CompanyIntegration and Application Network
Date Created2015-02-25
AlbumFauna > Echinoderms
TypeSymbol
Dimensions500 x 438
Filesize16.3 kB (svg)   57.1 kB (png)
Number of Downloads979
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Required AttributionJane Hawkey, Integration and Application Network (ian.umces.edu/media-library)