BIOTIC Species Information for Spatangus purpureus
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| Researched by | Lizzie Tyler | Data supplied by | University of Sheffield | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Spatangus purpureus | Common name | Purple heart urchin | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZB219 | Recent Synonyms | Sipho turgidulus var. minor | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Echinodermata | Subphylum | Echinozoa | ||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Echinoidea | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Spatangoida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Spatangidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Spatangus | Species | purpureus | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Radial Globose |
Feeding method | Surface deposit feeder Sub-surface deposit feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Crawler Burrower |
Environmental position | Infaunal |
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| Typical food types | Organic detritus | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | None (< 10 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Fragile | Size | Medium(11-20 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | Not researched | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | Not researched | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Ursin, 1960, Rees & Dare, 1993, Lawrence, 1987, Fish & Fish, 1996, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on most British and Irish coasts. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe from Norway to the Shetlands and south to Spain and the Azores and in the Mediterranean. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate to warm temperate. | Depth range | 0 - 900 m | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Gravel / shingle Muddy gravel Coarse clean sand Muddy sand Gravelley sand |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Offshore seabed Strait / sound Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment |
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| Biological zone | Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral Circalittoral Offshore Bathybenthic (Bathyal) |
Wave exposure | Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Field unresearched |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Planktotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | May to July | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | No | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 11-20 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 3-5 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | |||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Fertilization type | External | |||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Thorson, 1946, Fish & Fish, 1996, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Tillin et al., 2006, | ||||||||||||||
BIOTIC - Biological Traits Information Catalogue
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