Heliocidaris crassispina (A. Agassiz 1864 )

Yiu, Sam King Fung & Mah, Christopher L., 2024, New Ecological Observations and Occurrence for Asteroidea and Echinoidea in Hong Kong, Zootaxa 5526 (1), pp. 1-69 : 18-19

Heliocidaris crassispina (A. Agassiz 1864)

FIGURE 9A–B

Comments

Heliocidaris crassispina lives on hard substrates in shallow-water dominated by heavy wave action. It has been described as “one of the most common representatives of the subtidal, rocky shore fauna” ( Chiu 1988a: 115) in Hong Kong. Hong Kong populations of this species has been extensively studied by Chiu (1988a, 1988b, 1988 c, 1990) who characterized habitat, distribution, algal grazing, reproductive biology, age and growth. Reproduction was studied by Urriago et al. (2016).

Heliocidaris crassispina was previously placed in the genus Anthocidaris and prior records of this species from Hong Kong and Asia ( Liao & Clark 1995; Shigei 1986) were documented as Anthocidaris crassispina before being synonymized by Hart (2011).

In situ Observation

One individual ( Fig. 9A ) was observed with multiple spines covered by strands of white tissue on the spines and spine tips. A second individual ( Fig. 9B ) was observed entangled in the tissue of an unidentified jellyfish. Although it was unclear if the jellyfish tissue was present around the mouth, it is possible the urchin was scavenging.

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 0– 20 m.

Outside Hong Kong, Southern China and southern Japan, Korea, Taiwan. intertidal to 70 m.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Heliocidaris crassispina. A. In situ observation of H. crassispina with strands of white tissue on spines. B. Observation of this species with jellyfish caught on spines. Photographer: Sam King Fung Yiu.