Journal article

Publication year: 1996

Pages: 181-186

Journal: Marine Ecology

Volume number: 17

Issue number: 1-3

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1996.tb00499.x

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 
Members of the genus Echinometra (Echinoidea: Echinometridae) inhabit hard substrata in shallow waters where they live in self-excavated dwellings. Boring by Echinometra spp. causes a secondary structure of the surface, thus forming additional microhabitats.  In this study the effects of boring activities of Echinometra lucunter (L.) along the Caribbean coast of Colombia and of Echinometra vanbrunti A. AGASSIZ in the Colombian Pacific is examined. Several species inhabit the boreholes occupied by these urchins. The associates live underneath the echinoid on the bottom of the borehole, where they find shelter from exposure and predators. The co-inhabitants of E. lucunter include the porcellanid Clastotoechus vanderhorsti (SCHMITT), the recently described brittlestar Ophiothrix synoecina (SCHOPPE), and the clingfish Acyrtus rubiginosus (POEY). The species co-occurring with E. vanbrunti include the porcellanid crab Clastotoechus gorgonensis WERDING & HAIG and the clingfish Arcos decoris BRIGGS. With the exception of A. decoris, all of these species are obligatorily associated with the Echinometra host.

Harvard Citation style: Schoppe, S. and Werding, B. (1996) The Boreholes of the Sea Urchin Genus Echinometra (Echinodermata: Echinoidea: Echinometridae) as a Microhabitat in Tropical South America, Marine Ecology, 17(1-3), pp. 181-186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1996.tb00499.x

APA Citation style: Schoppe, S., & Werding, B. (1996). The Boreholes of the Sea Urchin Genus Echinometra (Echinodermata: Echinoidea: Echinometridae) as a Microhabitat in Tropical South America. Marine Ecology. 17(1-3), 181-186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1996.tb00499.x