Ecology of Tripneustes gratilla
 
Main Ref. Schoppe, S., 2000
Remarks Intertidal to subtidal (Ref. 106729). Inhabits shallow seagrass beds at depths of 1 to 30 m (Ref. 800). Also on rubble (Ref. 106121)and coral reef areas (Refs. 106724, 106728, 106735) like reef lagoons (Ref. 106729). Tripneustes gratilla elatensis: occurs in inland salt-ponds tolerating salinities greater than 45 ppm at 15°C (Ref. 2940). Feeds on macroalgae, seagrass, diatoms and coral tissue scraped from rocks (Ref. 2944). Omnivore (Ref. 116259). Grazing species. Dwells among rocks and boulders. Utilizes floating seaweed as cover (Ref. 129602).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Tripneustes gratilla may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic: megabenthos; Hard Bottom: rocky; rubble;
Substrate Ref. Fishelson, L., 1971
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs: lagoons;
Special habitats Ref. Schoppe, S., 2000

Associations

Ref. Schoppe, S., 2000
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly plants/detritus (troph. 2-2.19)
Feeding type Ref. Kasim, M., 2009
Feeding habit grazing on aquatic plants
Feeding habit Ref. Kasim, M., 2009

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 2.00 0.00 Trophic level and s.e. inferred from exclusive plant/detritus food items.
Ref.
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
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