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Sea urchins are marine animals found in oceans worldwide. They have a hard, spiny exoskeleton and use tube feet to move and feed. They come in various sizes and colors and play important roles in marine ecosystems.
Sea urchins belong to the phylum Echinodermata.
Sea urchins reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where external fertilization takes place. Once fertilized, the eggs develop into larvae that eventually settle and grow into adult sea urchins. Some species of sea urchins can also reproduce by asexual means, such as splitting or budding.
Sea urchins belong to the kingdom Animalia, which is one of the five kingdoms of living organisms. Within the kingdom Animalia, sea urchins are classified under the phylum Echinodermata. Echinoderms are characterized by their spiny skin and radial symmetry, which sea urchins exhibit prominently.
Sea urchins come in a variety of colors including purple, red, green, black, and white. Each species of sea urchin can have its unique color patterns.
An overfishing of herring can disrupt the food chain and remove a key predator of sea urchins. With fewer herring to feed on sea urchins, their populations can increase unchecked leading to ecosystem imbalance and potentially to overgrazing on kelp forests where sea urchins feed.