Image of Echinothurioida Claus 1880

Description:

Description: An echinothuriid sea urchin. Phormosoma sp., possibly P. bursarium or P. rigidum -- the former has curved aboral spines, and the ones in the images are straight, so a more likey this is P. rigidum (assuming it is a described species). Note the dark, swollen spine tips marking the poison-bearing spines. Also, hypertrophied pedicellariae around the periphery. Notice what appears to be a little holothuroid to the right.
Item Type: Image
Title: Phormosoma
Copyright: SERPENT
Species: Phormosoma
Behaviour: Walking over the seabed. Seems to be followed by small holothurian. This was noted on several occasions with different specimens of Phormosoma (also see record http://archive.serpentproject.com/2230/)
Site: Indian -- Indian Ocean -- East Africa -- Lavani
Depth (m): 2391
Countries: East Africa -- Tanzania
Habitat: Benthic boundary zone
Rig: Ocean Rig Poseidon
Project Partners: Statoil, Oceaneering
ROV: Millenium 93 and 73
Deposited By: Dr Andrew Gates
Deposited On: 10 January 2013