Tuxedo urchin
A small, colorful urchin that grazes and hides in reefs.
Last updated
The tuxedo urchin (Mespilia globulus) is a sea urchin found in tropical shallow reef habitats. It is the only species in the genus Mespilia and is notable for its vibrant blue/green vertical zones and relatively small spines, making it a popular organism in recreational aquariums.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumEchinodermata
- ClassEchinoidea
- OrderCamarodonta
- FamilyTemnopleuridae
- GenusMespilia
- SpeciesMespilia globulus
Named by (Linnaeus, 1758)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Mespilia (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 214476 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the tuxedo urchin has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (1,038 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 36 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Mespilia
- Species
- globulus
Facts from the source article.
Background
The tuxedo urchin can reach a diameter of up to 5 cm. It has radial symmetry and small spines up to 2 cm long, usually brown, red, or dark in color. Its body features ten vertical zones without spines that are vibrant blue/green and have a velvety texture. It inhabits shallow tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the south west coast of the western Pacific and Japan, living in reefs, coral rubble, and seagrass beds at depths of 0–200 meters.
During breeding season (July to September), it is found abundantly near the coast, but migrates slightly off the coast at other times. This species is a nocturnal grazer, feeding on organic material on structures or the sea floor. It hides in coral or rocks during the day. It agglutinates debris for camouflage, and in the pet trade, lack of debris is considered a sign of stress or sickness.
It lives in symbiosis with crabs and can be parasitized by some gastropods. Reproduction is gonochoric, with external fertilization and brooding common; ocean acidification is expected to threaten its reproduction.
Did You Know?
- The specific name 'globulus' refers to a small ball or spherule, describing its shape.
- In the pet industry, a tuxedo urchin not carrying debris is said to be stressed or sick.
More in Shrimp, Crabs & Urchins
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Mespilia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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