Echinometra mathaei

Echinometra mathaei (De Blainville, 1825)
Rock-boring urchin

photo by Bos, Arthur

Family:	Echinometridae ()
Max. size:	8 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:	benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 139 m
Distribution:	Indo-Pacific and Western Central Atlantic.
Diagnosis:
Biology:	Found subtidally (Ref. 102838). Inhabits hard substrates by boring on rocks in shallow waters (Ref. 800). It is also found on fore-reefs (Ref. 87903). A grazing echinoid, predominantly scraping the substratum of turf algae (Ref. 125618). Feeds on algae (Also Ref. 129602) and small invertebrates. Associated with Athanas indica, which hides between its spines (Ref. 800). Associated with coral communities. Burrowing species (Ref. 129602).
IUCN Red List Status:	Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:
Country info:

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