Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, (Stimpson, 1857)
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is a species of sea urchin in the family Strongylocentrotidae, which is commonly known as the purple sea urchin or Pacific purple sea urchin. It lives along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean extending from Ensenada, Mexico, to British Columbia, Canada.
As the common and specific names suggest, S. purpuratus is deep purple in color. It lives in lower intertidal and nearshore subtidal communities. It normally grows to a diameter of about 10 centimetres (3.9 in), consisting of a form of exoskeleton called a test. They may live as long as 70 years.
Sexual maturity in purple urchins is reached around two years. Purple urchins are broadcast spawners, with females releasing orange eggs and males releasing white sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs. January, February, and March function as the typical active reproductive months for the species.
Sea urchins like the purple sea urchin have been used for food by the indigenous peoples of California, who ate the yellow egg mass (roe) raw. In California, the peak gonad growth season (and therefore peak of edibility) is September–October. Early in the season, the gonads are still growing and the yield will be smaller. From November onwards the gonads are developed, however harvesting stress can induce spawning, decreasing quality.
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