Phormosoma

Phormosoma

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
Creator(s):Gates, A.
Identification:Mooi, R.
Date:29 May 2012
Time:10:19
Copyright:SERPENT
Classification:Kingdom Animalia > Phylum Echinodermata (Echinoderms) > Class Holothuroidea (Sea Cucumbers), Kingdom Animalia > Phylum Echinodermata (Echinoderms) > Class Echinoidea (Sea Urchins, heart urchins, sand dollars) > Echinothuroidea (Sea urchins) > Echinothuriidae (Sea urchins)
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
Substratum:Deep-sea mud
Rig:Ocean Rig Poseidon
Project Partners:Statoil, Oceaneering
ROV:Millenium 93 and 73
Keywords:Phormosoma Tanzania Indian Ocean Lavani
Deposited By:Dr Andrew Gates
Deposited On:10 January 2013

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