About Loxechinus albus (Molina, 1782)
Loxechinus albus is a relatively large, fast-growing sea urchin. Its test can reach a maximum diameter of 11 cm (4.3 inches), though populations in the far southern end of its range grow slower and reach a smaller maximum size. Its test is dorsoventrally flattened and densely covered in small spines. Living individuals of this species are typically dull reddish overall, with pale green coloring on their spines. The species' coloration is variable, and some large specimens found in deeper waters are entirely white. Each of its ambulacral plates numbers between 6 and 11, and each ambulacral plate bears one short primary spine plus many longer secondary spines. Its globiferous pedicellariae have a distinct neck between the stem and head, large valves, and several lateral teeth. This species is known locally in Chile as 'Erizo rojo', or red urchin. It is harvested commercially by fishermen and used as an ingredient in Chilean cuisine. Over-exploitation, the species' conspicuousness, and a lack of official harvest regulations have caused Loxechinus albus to become relatively rare in some parts of its range. It takes 8 years for this urchin to reach a harvestable size.
