Clypeaster reticulatus
clypeaster reticulatusAlso known as Reticulated Sea Biscuit, Reticulate Sand Dollar, Network Sea Biscuit
Reticulated sea biscuits are small, flattened echinoderms characterized by an oval or pentagonal test with a distinctive raised central petal pattern. They burrow shallowly in sandy tropical sediments, using thousands of tiny, fur-like spines to crawl and sift for food. To protect themselves from predators and intense sunlight, they often cover their upper surfaces with a thin layer of sand grains and shell debris.
- Diatoms
- Organic detritus
- Microalgae
- Triggerfish
- Sea stars
- Large crabs
- OrderClypeasteroida
- FamilyClypeasteridae
- GenusClypeaster
- Speciesclypeaster reticulatus
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Look for mounds: Scan shallow sandy flats for small, oval-shaped mounds where they may be buried.
- Handle gently: If picked up, handle with care to avoid damaging their delicate spines and return them immediately.
- Leave live ones: Ensure the sea biscuit is just an empty skeleton before collecting, as live ones have moving spines.
Order Member (c) Sharon Mooney (see User:Edwardtbabinski), some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Co-occurring Urchin (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative James St. John / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Found in Collections
Coral Currents
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Shore Life
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