Diadema antillarum

Long-spined sea urchin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Echinoidea
Order: Diadematoida
Family: Diadematidae
Genus: Diadema
Species:
D. antillarum
Binomial name
Diadema antillarum
(Philippi, 1845)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Centrechinus antillarum (Philippi, 1845)
  • Centrechinus setosus Jackson, 1912
  • Cidaris antillarum Philippi, 1845
Diadema with unusual grey spines at Snapper Ledge

Diadema antillarum, also known as the lime urchin, black sea urchin, or the long-spined sea urchin,[2] is a species of sea urchin in the family Diadematidae.

This sea urchin is characterized by its exceptionally long black spines.

It is the most abundant and important herbivore on the coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean basin. When the population of these sea urchins is at a healthy level, they are the main grazers which prevent algae overgrowth of the reef.

  1. ^ a b Kroh, Andreas (2013). Kroh A, Mooi R (eds.). "Diadema antillarum Philippi, 1845". World Echinoidea Database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  2. ^ Farland, K. Clay. Wood, James B. (ed.). "Long-spined Sea Urchin". Marine Invertebrates of Bermuda. Retrieved 2 June 2023.