Thorny Sea Urchin [Calloplax vivipara]
Description
The Thorny Sea Urchin (Calloplax vivipara) is a small marine species found in the subtidal zone of sandy ocean bottoms and seagrass beds. They are typically brown or black in color, with a hard shell covered in short, sharp spines. This species is known for its unique reproductive behavior, in which females carry their young in a brood pouch until they are fully developed. They primarily feed on algae and detritus.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Chitons
Polyplacophora
|
| Order |
Lepidopleurida
Lepidopleurida
|
| Family |
Callochitonidae
Callochitonidae
|
| Genus |
Calloplax
Calloplax
|