Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
Pseudoboletia maculata resembles Tripneustes gratilla and lives in very much the same environment. The urchins also cover itself with and abundances of debris, both mineral (pebbles, shell fragments) but also with seaweed on which it apparently feeds. The urchin is typically very pale, cream or white with irregular spots of a contrasting dark purple. The spines have also this double coloration.
So far, the only specimens observed were photographed near Mirbat in Dhofar from 8 m to 17 m in depth on coarse sediment.
So far, the only specimens observed were photographed near Mirbat in Dhofar from 8 m to 17 m in depth on coarse sediment.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
In Oman, this species is probably restricted to Dhofar and likely feeds on the abundant seaweed growth during the Khareef.
Worldwide, there seem to be two distribution centers: the first one around the Great Barrier Reef and the Western Pacific Ocean, the second one around the southern tip of Indian and Sri Lanka.
Worldwide, there seem to be two distribution centers: the first one around the Great Barrier Reef and the Western Pacific Ocean, the second one around the southern tip of Indian and Sri Lanka.
IUCN status
Data Deficient (DD)
Data Deficient (DD)
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
The urchins likely feeds on algae and sea weeds. It some areas of its distribution, it seems to form dense aggressions of several hundreds of individuals.
The few photographed specimens had a larger number of debris on their lateral and aboral surfaces, including both pebbles and small shell fragments as well as drifting seaweed.
The few photographed specimens had a larger number of debris on their lateral and aboral surfaces, including both pebbles and small shell fragments as well as drifting seaweed.