Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Species of sea urchin

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is a species of sea urchin in the family Strongylocentrotidae, which is commonly known as the purple sea urchin or Pacific purple sea urchin. It lives along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean extending from Ensenada, Mexico, to British Columbia, Canada. After one of its main predators, the sea otter, experienced a population decline, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus became a threat to the health of kelp forests as its own population boomed.

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