BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Echinocardium cordatum

Click here to view the MarLIN Key Information Review for Echinocardium cordatum

Researched by

Lizzie Tyler

Data supplied by

University of Sheffield

Refereed by

This information is not refereed.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Echinocardium cordatum

Common name

Sea-potato

MCS Code

ZB223

Recent Synonyms

None

Phylum

Echinodermata

Subphylum

Echinozoa

Superclass

Class

Echinoidea

Subclass

Order

Spatangoida

Suborder

Family

Loveniidae

Genus

Echinocardium

Species

cordatum

Subspecies

Additional Information

The common name of this species refers to the brittle, brownish test, which is often found washed up on sheltered sandy shores.

Taxonomy References

Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Mortensen, 1927,

General Biology

Growth form

Globose

Feeding method

Surface deposit feeder
Sub-surface deposit feeder

Mobility/Movement

Burrower

Environmental position

Infaunal

Typical food types

Detritus

Habit

Burrow dwelling

Bioturbator

Flexibility

None (< 10 degrees)

Fragility

Fragile

Size

Small-medium(3-10cm)

Height

Insufficient information

Growth Rate

1-2 cm/year

Adult dispersal potential

1km-10km

Dependency

Independent

Sociability

Gregarious

Toxic/Poisonous?

General Biology Additional Information

Growth rate: Growth in Echinocardium cordatum is particularly rapid during the first and second years of life. There are also seasonal variations that are characterised by an alternation of slow and rapid growth rates, with rapid growth during spring and summer months (Ridder de et al., 1991).
The bivalve Tellimya (=Montacuta) ferruginosa is a commensal of Echinocardium cordatum, and as many as 14 or more of this bivalve have been recorded with a single echinoderm. Adult specimens live freely in the burrow of Echinocardium cordatum, while the young are attached to the spines of the echinoderm by byssus threads (Fish & Fish, 1996). The amphipod crustacean Urothöe marina (Bate) is another common commensal (Hayward & Ryland, 1995).

Biology References

Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ridder de et al., 1991, Nichols, 1969, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,

Distribution and Habitat

Distribution in Britain & Ireland

Echinocardium cordatum is a common infaunal species found on sheltered sandy beaches, on all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Global distribution

Almost cosmopolitan except for polar seas: Norway to South Africa, Mediterranean, Australasia and Japan.

Biogeographic range

Not researched

Depth range

0 - 230 m

Migratory

Seasonal (reproduction)

Distribution Additional Information

The species has an annual tendency to form aggregations during the breeding season (Buchanan, 1966). There is also a migration of individuals from the subtidal to the intertidal at about 2 years of age.

Substratum preferences

Coarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Muddy sand
Sandy mud

Physiographic preferences

Open coast
Offshore seabed
Strait / sound
Enclosed coast / Embayment

Biological zone

Lower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Circalittoral Offshore

Wave exposure

Sheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered

Tidal stream strength/Water flow

Insufficient information

Salinity

Reduced (18-30 psu)
Full (30-40 psu)

Habitat Preferences Additional Information

Distribution References

Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Buchanan, 1966, Higgins, 1974, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Gonochoristic

Developmental mechanism

Planktotrophic

Reproductive Season

Spring and summer

Reproductive Location

Water column

Reproductive frequency

Annual episodic

Regeneration potential

Life span

11-20 years

Age at reproductive maturity

Generation time

Insufficient information

Fecundity

1000000

Egg/propagule size

Fertilization type

External

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	Insufficient information	Larval settlement period	Insufficient information
Duration of larval stage

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Life span: Observation of populations of Echinocardium cordatum over a period of 7 years suggests the species has a life span greater than 10 years (Buchanan, 1966; Hayward et al., 1996). However, in the Mediterranean Guillou (1985) suggests the life span is one or two years.
Age at maturity: On the north-east coast of England a littoral population bred for the first time when three years old. In the warmer waters of the west of Scotland breeding has been recorded at the end of the second year (Fish & Fish, 1996). However, it has been observed that subtidal populations appear never to reach sexual maturity (Buchanan, 1967).
Recruitment: Often sporadic, with reports of Echinocardium cordatum recruiting in only 3 years over a 10 year period (Buchanan, 1966) although this relates to subtidal populations. Intertidal individuals reproduce more frequently.
The sexes are separate and fertilization external, with the development of a pelagic larva (Fish & Fish, 1996). The fact that Echinocardium cordatum is to be found associated with several different bottom communities would indicate that the larvae are not highly selective and discriminatory and it is probable that the degree of discrimination in 'larval choice' becomes diminished with the age of the larvae (Buchanan, 1966). Metamorphosis of larvae takes place within 39 days after fertilization (Kashenko, 1994).

Reproduction References

Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Buchanan, 1966, Buchanan, 1967, Guillou, 1985, Kashenko, 1994, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Rees & Dare, 1993,