About Eucidaris galapagensis Döderlein, 1887
Eucidaris galapagensis, commonly known as the slate pencil sea urchin, is a species of echinoderm in the Cidaroid family. This sea urchin inhabits coastal areas around the Galapagos Islands, Clipperton Atoll, and Cocos Island. These organisms prefer rocky, benthic environments that offer refuge as their substrate. Higher abundance of slate pencil sea urchins is correlated with suitable substrate, as well as increased food availability. Their diet is primarily herbivorous, but they also eat a variety of invertebrates. They graze heavily on live corals and algae in open, shallow reef habitats. Their grazing is not limited to daylight hours, and they will also graze at night. Their diverse diet comes from their metabolism, as they are capable of remarkably efficient nutrient assimilation. Slate pencil sea urchins can crawl in any direction across their environment. They are also able to detect surrounding light via photoreceptor cells that function as their visual system.
