Diving with Temnopleuridae Sea Urchins

Temnopleuridae Sea Urchins are a family of around 66 species of spiny, spherical or globe shaped animals with hard shells which live on the seabed, and are often spotted during our Koh Lanta diving trips.

As with other urchins, members of this family have five equally sized parts radiating out from their central axes. The mouth is on the underside, at the base.

Each of the five equally sized parts of the urchin are represented on the outer body by groupings of segments or arcs with shorter spines, or no spines at all. In each case, however, five-fold symmetry exists with the arrangement and configuration of spines on the outer body.

As with other sea urchins, Temnopleuridae Sea Urchins are sensitive to touch, chemicals and light, however their light detection (eyes) are not as sophisticated as those in the Longspine Sea Urchins (Diadematidae).

Find Out More

• Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
• Humann, P., DeLoach, N., (2010) Reef Creature Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications Inc., ISBN 978-1-878348-44-9
• Debelius, H. (2013) Indian Ocean Reef Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 978-3-939767-52-7.
• Debelius, H. (2004) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails, Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-51-1
• Erhardt, H., Knop, D. (2015) Corals Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-69-4.
• Veron J.E.N., Stafford-Smith M.G., Turak E. and DeVantier L.M. (2016). Corals of the World

More Marine Life References and Further Information