Heart urchin
Heart urchins are burrowing echinoids. This life-style is similar to that of sand dollars, but the heart urchins belong to another group. Heart urchins belong to the Family Loveniidae in the Order Spatangoida.[1][2]
| Loveniidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Echinocardium cordatum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | Spatangoida |
| Family: | Loveniidae Lambert 1905 |
Echinocardium is the standard British heart urchin on sandy shores. Its spicules are converted to soft form, and they have sticky tube-feet which pass food to their gut. They can burrow up to five times their own height, and still keep connection with the surface for oxygenated water and food.[1]
References
- Nichols D. 1962. Echinoderms. Hutchinson, London. p76 ISBN 0-09-065994-5
- Nichols D. 1959. Mode of life of recent and fossil Spatangoida. Syst. Assoc. Publ. 3, 61-80.
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Pelagic early pluteus larva of Echinocardium cordatum
Spatangus purpureus: Heart urchin, from the Belgian continental shelf.
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