Echinocyamus pusillus

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Echinocyamus pusillus	Common name	Pea urchin
MCS Code	ZB211	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Echinodermata	Subphylum	Echinozoa
Superclass		Class	Echinoidea
Subclass		Order	Clypeasteroidea
Suborder		Family	Fibulariidae
Genus	Echinocyamus	Species	pusillus
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Globose	Feeding method	Surface deposit feeder, Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Organic detritus	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	0	Growth Rate	Not researched
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Picton, 1993, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on most British and Irish coasts although rare off south-east Britain.
Global distribution	Found in western Europe from Norway to the Azores and the Mediterranean and south to western Africa.
Biogeographic range	Temperate to warm temperate.	Depth range	0 - 1250 m
Migratory	Insufficient info.
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Coarse clean sand, Gravel / shingle	Physiographic preferences
Biological zone		Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	I
Distribution References	Foster-Smith, 2000, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	Summer	Reproductive Location	As adult
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	Insufficient information	Age at reproductive maturity	1 year
Generation time	Not researched	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size	224 µm diameter	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Not researched Larval settlement period August to September Duration of larval stage 1-2 months
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Fish & Fish, 1996, Thorson, 1946, Julie Bremner, unpub data