Echinus | |
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Echinus esculentus | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Echinoidea |
Order: | Camarodonta |
Family: | Echinidae |
Genus: | Echinus Linnaeus, 1758 |
Species | |
see text |
Echinus is a genus of sea urchins. Sea urchins are echinoderms that are typically spherical or flattened with a covering of spine-like structures. Sea urchins tend to be important members of their ecosystems by grazing on other organisms and stabilizing populations. In addition to this, sea urchins play a large role in different economies globally as the urchin themselves and their roe are sold for consumption.[1] The same is true for the species within the genus Echinus.[2]
This genus was first described in 1758 by Linnaeus in the book, "Systema Nature Per Regna Tria Nature, Secundum Classes, Orgines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis". In this book, the genus is described as having a submerged body with a rough surface. Additionally, the surface of this genus is characterized by moveable spines which cover the surface of the animals.[3]
These organisms can play significant roles in their environment, with species such as Echinus esculentus playing the role of a grazer of organisms growing and living on the surface of substrate in marine environments that tend to be consistently submerged underwater. This species in particular could have been paramount for kelp communities. This is thought to be from the grazing of sea urchins which regulate the lower limit of beds of brown algae, potentially bolstering species diversity.[2]
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