•+Strongylocentrotus+purpuratus

** Scientific Classification ** Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Echinoidea Subclass: Euechinoidea Superorder: Echinacea Order: Echinoida Family: Strongylocentrotidae Genus: Strongylocentrotus Species: S. purpuratus

-Found on the pacific coastline from Alaska to Cedros Island, Mexico. -Primarily found in the low intertidal zone -Thrives amid strong wave action and areas with churning aerated water -Many can be found on the ocean floor near the holdfast of the kelp.
 * Distribution/ Habitat **

** Physical Characteristics **   -Has a round body that consists of a symmetrical test, or shell, covered with large spines (can be used as a means of defense)    -The test itself ranges from 50mm in diameter to an occasional 100mm in diameter. -This test is covered with spines that are generally bright purple in adults and have purple tinged spines that are mostly a pale green in color in young. Also covering the test or shell, are tube feet and pedicellariae. -Male and female urchins are monomorphic; they are not physically distinguishable from one another.

** Life Cycle/ Reproduction ** -January, February, and March are the primary reproductive months Reach sexual maturity at the age of two years - Females and males release their gametes into the ocean where fertilization occurs. After the egg is fertilized and settles onto a substrate, the urchin begins to develop. The test develops quickly to protect the young urchin. The plates of the test begin to form individually and grow tighter together to form the test. -A social and independent organism. Around the holdfasts of giant kelp beds, they be found in very high numbers. On the other hand, during low tide, purple sea urchins can be found all by themselves. -Generally an inactive individual, but does have the ability to move, and can do so by using its tube feet to push and pull itself along

** Feeding ** -As a sedentary invertebrate it primarily feeds on algae  -The tube feet, spines, and pedicellariae that cover it, are used to grab the food and aid it into the mouth

** Ecological Roles ** -Primary predators include sea stars as well as the sea otter -May defends itself with its sharp spines -In their feeding, they can destroy entire forests of kelp -Used in many seafood recipes, and is common in sushi

**Sources**  [] [|http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Strongylocentrotus_purpuratus.html] [|http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Echinodermata/Class%20Echinoidea/Echinoida/Strongylocentrotidae/] [|Strongylocentrotus_purpuratus.html] [|http://seanet.stanford.edu/EchinoHoloOphio/strongyl_pur580.jpg] [|http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v444/n7117/images/444246a-i3.0.jpg] [|http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_08V6g7Ows2A/S-SFPHelCuI/AAAAAAAAADY/6izLD_50zc4/s1600/Picture+1B.jpg]