Species

Invertebrates

Learn more about the invertebrates monitored by the LiMPETS program. The list below includes:

  • 17 core taxa that are monitored at as many sites as possible
  • 5 other taxa (denoted with *) that are monitored at only one or two sites

Go to Datasheets and Forms to find out which species are monitored at your LiMPETS site of interest.

Purple Sea Urchin(Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
Purple Sea Urchin
Description:
The body and spines of this echinoderm are typically bright purple; juveniles are green; average body size is 5 cm in diameter; tube feet allow animals to cling to rocks.
Distribution:
Alaska to Baja California.
Habitat:
Common in lower intertidal zone and near pilings with strong wave action; commonly inhabit rounded burrows or depressions in rocks formed by the spines and the grinding teeth of the urchin.
Diet:
A variety of brown and red algae, but they prefer giant kelp.
Fun Fact:
Urchins can regenerate broken spines. This is the first species of sea urchin that has had its complete genome sequenced; it is a model animal for the study of development.
Reason for Monitoring:
This species is harvested for food in California. In 2000, 20 million lbs of sea urchins were harvested, primarily for markets in Japan.
References:
Encyclopedia of the Sanctuary
Morris, R.H., D.P. Abbott, and E.C. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.
Stanford University