* Colobocentrotus (Podophora) atratus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Fig. 46 A–B.

Colobocentrotus auratus: A. Agassiz, 1872: 102, 424. Pl. XXXVI, Figs 6–7. Pl. XXXVIII, Figs 11–12; Samyn, 2003: 204, Fig. 3 D.

Podophora atrata: H.L. Clark, 1925a; 145; H.L. Clark, 1912: 376.

Colobocentrotus (Podophora) atratus: Mortensen, 1943: 434 –439. Pl. L, Figs 1–2. Pl. LlI, Figs 1–2. Pl. LXV, Fig. 7; Filander & Griffiths, 2014: 52 –53. Pl. I, Fig. A.

Podophora atratus: Schultz, 2010: 232, Figs 441–443.

Material examined. Photographic image uploaded on VM EchinoMaps.

Identification. Test solid, transversely elongated. Spines eccentric, closely packed, flat, forming tessellate arrangement ending in a fringe; purple coloration.

Global maximum size. Maximum test diameter 65 mm.

Global distribution. East coast region of South Africa (Filander & Griffths 2014); East Africa to Malayan Archipelago, as far as Hawaii; restricted to littoral zones (Schultz 2010).

Remarks. The test morphology is strongly adapted for attachment to strongly wave-exposed rocks, thus minimizing possibility of being washed away by wave action. Reported to feed on encrusting organisms.