Echinothrix is a genus of sea urchins which was first described in 1853 by Wilhelm Peters, a German naturalist and explorer.

Echinothrix
Echinothrix calamaris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Echinoidea
Order: Diadematoida
Family: Diadematidae
Genus: Echinothrix
Peters, 1853[1]
Species

Description and characteristics

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The genus contains two species, E. diadema and E. calamaris.[1] These can be distinguished by the fact that E. diadema has fully black spines whereas E. calamaris has striped spines. Both of these species are found in the Indo-Pacific region, living on coral reefs.

Taxonomy

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According to World Register of Marine Species :

Image Scientific name Distribution
  Echinothrix diadema (Linnaeus, 1758) Indo-Pacific coral reefs, from the Red Sea to Hawaii
  Echinothrix calamaris (Pallas, 1774) Indo-Pacific region, from eastern coast of Africa to French Polynesia, including Hawaii and the Red Sea


References

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  1. ^ a b Kroh, Andreas (2013). Kroh A, Mooi R (eds.). "Echinothrix Peters, 1853". World Echinoidea Database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2013-11-23.