Coelopleurus (Keraiophorus) exquisitus
Coelopleurus exquisitus is known only from around New Caledonia.
Coelopleurus exquisitus is a recently discovered sea urchin species from New Caledonia in the Pacific. Coelopleurus exquisitus has a striking pattern colouration to both test and spines. Yet we simply have no idea what purpose such colouration serves, as this species lives only in deep water.
Coelopleurus exquisitus
The pigmentation is distributed both in the skin and in the underlying skeleton, making this species highly prized by collectors and thus possibly under threat.
There is still much to be learned about the biology of sea urchins, especially those living below easy scuba-diving reach. We need to gather basic biological information about species like these in order to assess their conservation status.
Species detail
Tests up to 35 mm in diameter and with long, curved spines. The spines are banded red and pale green for most of their length.
Coelopleurus exquisitus
The test has large, straight-edged, naked median zones in the upper part of its 5 interambulacra and these are purple in colour, in contrast to the test’s olive/light brown epithelium. Each zone has a meandering pinkish to lavender undulating line running up it.
There are 12 species of Keraiophorus, each with its own distinct colour patterning.
Habitat
Soft substrates.
Distribution
Marine. Known only from around New Caledonia at depths of between 240m and 520m.
Biology
Nothing is known about the biology of this species, other than it is an epifaunal bottom dweller.
Images
Coelopleurus exquisitus is known only from around New Caledonia.
Coelopleurus exquisitus
Coelopleurus exquisitus
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References
- Coppard, S. E. & Schulz, H. A. G. 2006. A new species of Coelopleurus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea: Arbaciidae) from New Caledonia. Zootaxa. 1281: 1-9.