Penny Wallace

November 18, 2015

English/Science

Sea Urchin

The sea urchin or strongylocentrotus purpuratus lives in rock pools, wave exposed rocks, and sea grass beds. The region of this organism is around the pacific coastline from Alaska to Cedros Island, Mexico. The domain of this organism is eukaryote and the kingdom is animalia. The phylum is echinodermata and the class is echinoidea. The order is echinoida and the family is strongylocentrotidae. The genus and species is strongylocentrotus purpuratus. This organism has radial symmetry. The sea urchin has a round body that consist as a shell, with large spines covering the body. The color range can be from brown to purple. An adaptation for a sea urchin is how they have sharp spines, protecting them from predators. When a predator pokes the sea urchin or the sea urchin senses a predator it will react immediately by puncturing the predator with its spikes. That adaptation is functional and structural because it benefits this organism on the outside and its function is to protect the sea urchin. Another adaptation to this organism is that it has tubed feet to move around efficiently on the ocean floor. That adaptation is structural. Lastly, a functional adaptation is that sea urchins are light sensitive that helps it camouflage when it is exposed to light. An interesting fact about this organism is that they are not endangered because they have rapid reproduction and they have great natural defenses. Another interesting fact is that strongylocentrotus, means “Spiky creature.” The last interesting fact is that this organism is an invertebrate. Prey to this organism are plants such as algae, dead fish, sponges, mussels, barnacles, and kelp. Predators to this organism are crabs, snails, sea otters, many birds, and humans. The sea urchin is a heterotroph and ectothermic.

(works cited) I got my information from:

"Sea Urchin"

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/photos/sea-urchins/#/sea-urchins01-sea-urchins-kelp-forest_17928_600x450.jpg

and

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/sea-urchin/

14 Nov. 2015