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scientific endorsement
ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Melon sea urchin

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean

Easy to spot on a dive thanks to its ball-like shape and short spines, the Melon sea urchin often rests alone on sand or coralligenous seabeds. This peaceful grazer cleans the substrate by consuming algae, debris and small attached prey.

Habitat de Melon sea urchin Habitat
Rocky habitat, Coralligenous habitat
Profondeur de Melon sea urchin Depth
30-150 m
Groupe biologique de Melon sea urchin Group
Echinoderm
Rôle écologique de Melon sea urchin Role
Herbivore

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Melon sea urchin is recognised by its almost spherical shape and relatively unspiny appearance. Its large test can reach about fifteen centimetres in diameter. Its spines are present but relatively short and inconspicuous, giving the impression of an almost smooth sea urchin. They are greenish to yellowish, sometimes with a lighter tip.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on varied seabeds, often sandy, detrital or coralligenous, generally at considerable depths. It also occurs near rocky areas.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Its diet is diverse: it consumes algae, organic debris and small organisms on the seabed. It feeds by scraping the substrate.

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Other species — Echinoderm

Pencil sea urchin Long-spined sea urchin Purple sea urchin Mediterranean Feather Star Basket star Black sea cucumber White sea urchin Spiny Starfish

Same habitat and depth

Rocky seabed species Coralligenous habitat species

Same ecological role and depth

Herbivorous species

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