page_title: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
section_title: Ecology and economics
hierarchical_section_title: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus / Ecology and economics
caption_attribution_description: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
context_page_description: The purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, lives along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean extending from Ensenada, Mexico, to British Columbia, Canada. This sea urchin species is deep purple in color, and lives in lower inter-tidal and nearshore sub-tidal communities. Its eggs are orange when secreted in water. January, February, and March function as the typical active reproductive months for the species. Sexual maturity is reached around two years.
  It normally grows to a diameter of about 10 cm and may live as long as 70 years.
context_section_description: The purple sea urchin, along with sea otters and abalones, is a prominent member of the kelp forest community. Sea urchins have been used for food by the indigenous peoples of California, who ate the yellow egg mass raw. The purple sea urchin also plays a key role in the disappearance of kelp forests that is currently occurring due to climate change.
caption: Close up of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus clearly showing tube feet.
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