Heterocentrotus trigonarius with parasites (Echineulima eburnea)
Description Three females and six smaller males of the snail Echineulima eburnea (Deshayes 1863) have settled on the oral side of the sea urchin. These snails do not kill the echinoid by drilling large holes through the test and sucking out the animal. But they form moulds with their snout, and, using a long proboscis protruded into the body cavity through a small hole, they feed on the body fluid and the organs of the host. (Lützen & Nielsen 1975)
Width with spines 62 mm; lle de la Réunion
Author Schultz, Heinke
JPG file - 335.74 kB - 1 588 x 1 408 pixels
added on 2005-02-23600 viewsERMS taxaFrom reference Schultz, H. (2006). Sea urchins: A guide to worldwide sha...
© 2005 Schultz, Heinke