Sphaerechinus granularis is a sea urchin of up to 12 cm in diameter. It is globular,
slightly top-flattened. The test is dark purple and spines may be purple too but very often with white tips
or even entirely white. It often covers itself with algae or shell remains held by its tube-feet
and pedicellariae. It feeds on algae grazed on rock surface. It lives on rocks, boulders and also on Maerl,
a calcareous algae.
It is found from surface to 100 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean down to Cape Verdes, in the English Channel
and the Mediterranean Sea.
Phylum Echinodermata, class Echinoidea, order Temnopleuroida, family Toxopneustidae, Sphaerechinus granularis (Lamarck, 1816).
Tube foot: Tube-shaped element ending by a sucker-disc used to attach to subtratum or to bring food
particles into the mouth.
Pedicellariae: Minute jawed elements of sea urchins and starfish used to clean body surface
and as defensive means.
Photograph: © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission.
Sphaerechinus granularis, Bay of Concarneau, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 8 meters.
Text: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2005-2008.
Translation: Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.
