Coelopleurus exquisitus
Encyclopedia
Coelopleurus exquisitus (Exquisite Urchin) is a sea urchin
species found off the coast of the island of New Caledonia
in the Pacific Ocean
. It is an epifaunal deep water species living at depths of between 240 and 520 m (787.4 and 1,706 ft) and was only identified and named in 2006.
is up to 35 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter, with long, curved spines. These primary spikes are curved and banded with red and light green. It has large purple inter-ambulacral regions with undulating lavender lines, while the remainder of the epithelium
is coloured olive or light brown. This makes it highly sought after by collectors which may make the species under threat. However, too little is known about the species to confirm their number. The purpose of the pigmentation, which is present in both the skin and skeleton, is also unknown given the low light conditions of its habitat. One presented theory is that the species migrated from shallower waters and has maintained its colouring.
. Dr. Simon Coppard, marine biologist
and member of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
, was directed to a listing on the site in 2004. Coppard was frequently asked to identify species but did not recognise this particular specimen. Further investigation with the help of Heinke Schultz led him to the realisation that it was a previously unidentified species.
The species was given a name fitting its unique and beautiful colouring, with details about Coelopleurus exquisitus first published in taxonomy
journal Zootaxa
on 7 August 2006. Immediately after this public introduction the value of specimens for sale on eBay rocketed from $8 to $138.
Coppard expressed concern that sea urchins like Coelopleurus exquisitus could become endangered by sellers who abuse the insufficient regulatory protocols currently in place: "The collection and sale of these urchins should be regulated and monitored otherwise we may decimate the populations before we know much more about it."
A similar event occurred in 2008 when a fossilised aphid
encased in amber
was purchased from eBay. Again, the species was found to never have been described; it was given the name Mindarus harringtoni
.
Sea urchin
Sea urchins or urchins are small, spiny, globular animals which, with their close kin, such as sand dollars, constitute the class Echinoidea of the echinoderm phylum. They inhabit all oceans. Their shell, or "test", is round and spiny, typically from across. Common colors include black and dull...
species found off the coast of the island of New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. It is an epifaunal deep water species living at depths of between 240 and 520 m (787.4 and 1,706 ft) and was only identified and named in 2006.
Colouration
The colouration and pattern of Coelopleurus exquisitus is vibrant and distinctive. Examined individuals of the species show that the testTest (biology)
A test is a term used to refer to the shell of sea urchins, and also the shell of certain microorganisms, such as testate foraminifera and testate amoebae....
is up to 35 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter, with long, curved spines. These primary spikes are curved and banded with red and light green. It has large purple inter-ambulacral regions with undulating lavender lines, while the remainder of the epithelium
Epithelium
Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...
is coloured olive or light brown. This makes it highly sought after by collectors which may make the species under threat. However, too little is known about the species to confirm their number. The purpose of the pigmentation, which is present in both the skin and skeleton, is also unknown given the low light conditions of its habitat. One presented theory is that the species migrated from shallower waters and has maintained its colouring.
Discovery
The species was first identified after appearing on auction website eBayEBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
. Dr. Simon Coppard, marine biologist
Marine biology
Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather...
and member of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
, was directed to a listing on the site in 2004. Coppard was frequently asked to identify species but did not recognise this particular specimen. Further investigation with the help of Heinke Schultz led him to the realisation that it was a previously unidentified species.
The species was given a name fitting its unique and beautiful colouring, with details about Coelopleurus exquisitus first published in taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
journal Zootaxa
Zootaxa
Zootaxa is a peer-reviewed scientific journal for animal taxonomists. It is published by Magnolia Press . The journal was established by Zhi-Qiang Zhang in 2001 and new issues are published multiple times a week...
on 7 August 2006. Immediately after this public introduction the value of specimens for sale on eBay rocketed from $8 to $138.
Coppard expressed concern that sea urchins like Coelopleurus exquisitus could become endangered by sellers who abuse the insufficient regulatory protocols currently in place: "The collection and sale of these urchins should be regulated and monitored otherwise we may decimate the populations before we know much more about it."
A similar event occurred in 2008 when a fossilised aphid
Aphid
Aphids, also known as plant lice and in Britain and the Commonwealth as greenflies, blackflies or whiteflies, are small sap sucking insects, and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions...
encased in amber
Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin , which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry. There are five classes of amber, defined on the basis of their chemical constituents...
was purchased from eBay. Again, the species was found to never have been described; it was given the name Mindarus harringtoni
Mindarus harringtoni
Mindarus harringtoni is a species of aphid. The insect was discovered when Richard Harrington, a scientist and vice-president of the Royal Entomological Society of London, won an auction on eBay for a fossilized specimen, later to discover it was an unknown species. The fossil was bought from an...
.