Slate Pencil Urchin
Scientific name: Phyllacanthus parvispinus
Click to enlarge image
Slate Pencil Urchin, Phyllacanthus parvispinus
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Phyllacanthus
- Species
- parvispinus
- Family
- Cidaridae
- Order
- Cidaroida
- Class
- Echinoidea
- Phylum
- Echinodermata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 15 cm
Introduction
The Slate Pencil Urchin is nnamed for its thick blunt spines that resemble old-fashioned pencils.
Identification
With thick, blunt, round spines, this sea urchin is distinctive and is easily identified by beachcombers, snorkellers and divers.
Habitat
Slate Pencil Urchings live on intertidal rocky shores and in coastal waters to a depth of 80 m.
Distribution
The Slate Pencil Urchin are found along the east coast of Australia, including Queensland and New South Wales.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
The Slate Pencil Urchin is a herbivore. It comes out to feed at night. The mouth is on the underside of the body and is equipped with five sharp teeth used to scrape algae from the rocks.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Slate Pencil Urchin uses its spines to wedge firmly into holes and crevices during the day.
