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echinoids
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| Phylum Echinodermata > Class Echinodea > sea urchins |
| White
sea urchin Salmacis sp. Family Temnopleuridae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This almost-cuddly white sea urchin is seasonally common on our Northern shores among seagrasses. At some times, many of these sea urchins are seen, and then none seen for some time. On Cyrene Reef, gatherings of many of these sea urchins are sometimes seen. Features: Body diameter 5-8cm, with short sharp white spines (1-1.5cm). Some have white spines with maroon bands, others with all maroon spines, and yet others with green and maroon bands. It is not certain if these are different species or just colour variations. Spines on the upper side are sharp. Spines on the underside have spade-like tips. It has long tube feet and is often seen carrying all kinds of things from shells to seaweeds. It can quickly gather these things to cover itself. What does it eat? It eats seaweeds. Although most of the sea urchins examined do not have the worm-like creature that is often found curled around the mouth of the Black sea urchins (Temnopleurus sp.), one of these worm-like creatures was seen on the underside of a White sea urchin. Examination of tests (skeleton of a dead sea urchin) suggest that large snails might prey on them. |
 Pulau Sekudu, May 08  Two different kinds of white sea urchin? |
 White spines with maroon bands. Changi, May 08 |
 White spines with green and maroon bands. Cyrene Reef, Apr 08 |
 With maroon spines. Changi, May 06 |
White sea urchins on Singapore shores
 Changi, May 08 |
 Some spines still stuck on the test. |
 Changi, May 08  Worm-like thing seen on the underside. |
 Changi, May 06  A tiny one hardly bigger than a seagrass leaf. |
 Cyrene Reef, Apr 07  Sometimes gatherings of many urchins are seen. |
 Carrying stuff. Pulau Sekudu, Jul 05 |
 Carrying stuff. Changi, May 05 |
 Carrying stuff. Beting Bronok, May 06 |
more photos of white sea urchins on Singapore shores
with white banded spines
northern shores part 1 | part 2 | part 3
southern shores
with maroon spines
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