Purple Sea Urchin

Range: Atlantic Ocean - Cape Cod to the West Indies

Purple sea urchins are a model organism for marine sediment toxicity, an area of study that explores how anthropogenic contaminants may threaten marine ecosystems. In terms of their anatomy, their tests can grow to around two inches in diameter, and they have a uniquely soft and membranous peristome, the soft tissue on the underside of the urchin surrounding the mouth. Along with their regular conical spines, these urchins also have flattened spines on the underside, a trait not seen in most regular urchins. Right now, this species of urchin is being studied to determine the market potential of its uni as a sustainable wild-harvested alternative to the over-harvested green sea urchins.