Purple Sea Urchin

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Explore the Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Purple Sea Urchin is a spiny grazer of kelp forests and rocky reefs along the Pacific coast of North America. It scrapes algae with a specialized jaw apparatus and can help determine whether reefs support kelp or become urchin-dominated barrens.

Classification in this archive

Animals › Echinoderms › Sea urchins › Camarodonta › Strongylocentrotidae › Strongylocentrotus

Habitat and distribution

Regions in this record: North America

Demonstration note

[DEMO] Purple sea urchins use a five-part jaw apparatus called Aristotle's lantern to scrape algae from rocks.