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Family: Clypeasteridae
Flat Sea Biscuit
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Sand fields or shelly sediment, where there is little or no seagrass. Distribution: Carribean, Panama. Natural History Notes: Individuals occur just beneath the surface of the sand, and will rebury themselves when excavated in 6-12 minutes. This species selects larger pieces of coarse, biogenic sand for ingestion, using oral surface accessory podia with terminal suckers. The helmet conch Cassis tuberosa is a major predator. In Panama, this species is ripe throughout the year, with at least 60% of individuals capable of spawning at any time. At least five species of pinnotherid crabs of the genus Dissodactylus are associated with the urchin. Another common commensal is the polychaete Ophiodromus obscurus. Depth: Commonly 5-50m, possibly deeper Characteristics: This large urchin is up to 300 mm long, flattened, and conspicuously elongate, with five petals of equal size. The test is yellow to dark tan and densely covered with short spines. |