Hatpin Urchin

Centrostephanus longispinus

Centrostephanus longispinus is a species of sea urchin characterized by its small central test and long, toxic spines that can reach lengths of up to 30 centimeters. The spines vary in length, are mobile, and are used for locomotion. This species can be distinguished from similar species by its smaller and fewer secondary interambulacral tubercles. The spines are reddish-brown and tipped with purple or pink, while the subspecies found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean has spines banded in purple against a pale background. Juvenile specimens exhibit different coloration patterns compared to adults, which can be uniformly dark or banded in brown on a pale background. Centrostephanus longispinus inhabits the continental shelf on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It typically resides at depths between 40 and 210 meters, often found on algae or broken coral substrates, particularly rubble from dead ivory bush coral. This species is part of a diverse community that includes other sea urchins, mollusks, and crustaceans. Feeding primarily on red algae, Centrostephanus longispinus may also consume small invertebrates when algae is scarce. The reproductive strategy involves external fertilization, with embryos developing into planktotrophic larvae before settling on the seafloor and metamorphosing into young urchins. Encounters with this species during dives can be intriguing, as divers may observe their unique spines and coloration while exploring their benthic habitats. The conservation status of Centrostephanus longispinus is Not Evaluated.