Paracentrotus lividus is a globular sea urchin of up to 7 cm in diameter. Spines
are long (3 cm), thick and smooth. Its colour is variable: violet, green or brown. Rock sea urchin
is an edible species living on stones, calcareous algae or rocks, often self-covered by shell
remains, or algae. According to bedrock nature, wether it is soft or not, rock sea urchin may bore,
with its spines, a hole large enough to hide in during day-time. Especially active at night,
it mainly feeds on red algae. It may live in groups in rock pools but also down to 30 m deep.
It is found in the Atlantic Ocean up to West Ireland, rarer in the English Channel, and in the
Mediterranean Sea.
Phylum Echinodermata, class Echinoidea, order Echinoida, family Echinidae, Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816).
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Photograph: © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission.
Paracentrotus lividus, Illes Medes, Costa Brava, East of Spain. Depth 8 meters.
Text: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2005-2008.
Translation: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.
