Tunstallia aculeata
Tunstallia aculeata is a species of sea urchin belonging to the family Cidaridae. It was first scientifically described by Alexander Emanuel Agassiz, an American scientist and engineer, in 1863. The species is known for its distinctive spiny appearance and is found in various parts of the world, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean.
Taxonomy[edit | edit source]
The Tunstallia aculeata belongs to the genus Tunstallia, which is part of the family Cidaridae. This family is known for its species' distinctive spiny appearance. The genus was named after Marmaduke Tunstall, an English ornithologist and naturalist. The species name aculeata is derived from Latin, meaning 'spiny' or 'prickly', which is a reference to the species' physical characteristics.
Description[edit | edit source]
Tunstallia aculeata is known for its spiny appearance. The body of the sea urchin is covered with long, sharp spines that serve as a defense mechanism against predators. The color of the species varies, but it is typically a dark brown or black. The size of the sea urchin can reach up to 10 cm in diameter.
Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]
Tunstallia aculeata is found in various parts of the world, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean. It is known to inhabit areas with rocky substrates and is often found in depths ranging from 10 to 200 meters. The species prefers colder waters and is often found in regions with a temperate climate.
Ecology[edit | edit source]
The Tunstallia aculeata plays a significant role in the marine ecosystem. As a herbivore, it feeds on algae and other plant material, contributing to the control of algal populations. It is also a prey species for various marine animals, including fish and sea otters.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
While the Tunstallia aculeata is not currently listed as endangered, it is affected by various threats. These include pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting its habitat and regulating fishing activities.
See also[edit | edit source]
This marine-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
