Eucidaris tribuloides (Lamarck, 1816)
Slate pencil urchin
Pencil urchin,  Slate pencil urchin
No Picture Available

Family:  Cidaridae ()
Max. size:  13 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea: North Carolina to Brazil . Tropical and subtropical.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  This is an epibenthic and subtidal species found in coral reefs, seagrass, and rocky bottoms (Ref. 83942). Inhabits crevices in reefs and back-reef lagoons (Ref. 415, 86574), in zones of reef crest, sand, rubble, patch reef, buttress, spur and groove, as well as Thalassia beds (Ref. 86574) Omnivorous grazer and spawns on the full moon (Ref. 415).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:  Known from offshore atolls including Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse (Ref. 86570), Glover's Reef atolls (Refs. 86570, 85586, 87247), Belize Barrier Reef in the vicinity of Carrie Bow Cay (Ref. 86570, 86574), westernmost of the Bird Cays, northernmost of the Lagoon Cays (Ref. 86570). On the east of Water Cay Range it is found feeding on sponges and Thalassia with a density of one specimen per square meter (Ref. 86574). C: Refs. 85586, 86565, 83942.

Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.