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Shingle Urchin
Species

Shingle Urchin

Colobocentrotus atratus, (Linnaeus, 1758)

marine

About Shingle Urchin

Colobocentrotus atratus, commonly named the helmet urchin or shingle urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the family Echinometridae. In Hawaii, it is called hāʻukeʻuke. It is found on wave-swept intertidal shores in the Indo-West Pacific, particularly on the shores of Hawaii.

Appearance

This urchin is a deep maroon colour and shaped like a domed limpet. It can grow to the size of a softball, but is usually much smaller. The upper surface is a mosaic of tiny polygonal plates formed from modified spines to form a smooth mosaic. This is fringed by a ring of large, flattened modified spines. On the underside there is another ring of smaller flattened spines and a large number of tube feet.

Where to see it

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