Eucidaris thouarsii
Eucidaris thouarsii, the slate pencil urchin, is a species of cidaroid sea urchins that inhabits littoral regions of the East Pacific Ocean.Eucidaris thouarsii is found in the East Pacific at depths of, ranging from Baja California to Panama, as well as Cocos Island, Clipperton Island and the Galápagos Islands. The Galápagos, Clipperton and Cocos populations are now often recognized as a separate species, E. galapagensis, instead of a subspecies of E. thouarsii.Diet
Like all urchins these are primarily herbivores, but feed on a wide range of invertebrates. This species has a high nutrient absorption efficiency when it comes to the coral Pocillopora damicornis, but would require a large intake to make nutrient requirements. Due to its high intake of coral, it reduces reef growth.
