Centrostephanus coronatus
Crowned Sea Urchin

A close-up view into the center of one of these beautiful animals.

Sea Urchins are members of the echinoderm phylum -- "spiny skinned" animals found only in the marine environment -- which construct endoskeletons out of calcium carbonate crystals imbedded in tissue.  Adult echinoderms all have a five-part radial symmetry.

Crowned Sea Urchins are found from California's Channel Islands to the Galapagos Islands, and reach about 7 inches in diameter.

Lens: 60mm macro
Film: Velvia
Location: San Clemente Island, CA
©1998 Garry McCarthy