Long Spined Sea Urchin
Diadema antillarum
Long Spined Sea Urchin
Diadema antillarum
Diadema antillarum, commonly known as the Lime Urchin, Long-Spined Sea Urchin, or Black Sea Urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the family Diadematidae. It is one of the most important herbivores on Barbados and other Caribbean coral reefs.
This sea urchin is easily recognized by its extremely long, thin black spines, which typically reach 10–12 cm, but can grow up to 30 cm on large individuals. Like other sea urchins, it has a round, hard shell (test), but its unusually long spines make it stand out.
Healthy populations of this urchin play a crucial role in keeping algae under control on the reef, allowing corals to grow and maintain habitat for fish and other marine life. When a mysterious disease caused massive die-offs in the 1980s, algae quickly took over many reefs, slowing coral growth and reducing biodiversity.
Today, recovery is slow, as storms, predators, and low population density all make it difficult for the species to repopulate. Despite this, the Long-Spined Sea Urchin remains a key species for reef health across the Caribbean.
Class: Echinoidea
Order: Diadematoida
Family: Diadematidae
Genus: Diadema
Species: D. antillarum
Binomial name: Diadema antillarum
Diadema antillarum
Diadema antillarum, commonly known as the Lime Urchin, Long-Spined Sea Urchin, or Black Sea Urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the family Diadematidae. It is one of the most important herbivores on Barbados and other Caribbean coral reefs.
This sea urchin is easily recognized by its extremely long, thin black spines, which typically reach 10–12 cm, but can grow up to 30 cm on large individuals. Like other sea urchins, it has a round, hard shell (test), but its unusually long spines make it stand out.
Healthy populations of this urchin play a crucial role in keeping algae under control on the reef, allowing corals to grow and maintain habitat for fish and other marine life. When a mysterious disease caused massive die-offs in the 1980s, algae quickly took over many reefs, slowing coral growth and reducing biodiversity.
Today, recovery is slow, as storms, predators, and low population density all make it difficult for the species to repopulate. Despite this, the Long-Spined Sea Urchin remains a key species for reef health across the Caribbean.
Class: Echinoidea
Order: Diadematoida
Family: Diadematidae
Genus: Diadema
Species: D. antillarum
Binomial name: Diadema antillarum
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