GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Urchins in the genus Strongylocentrotus are common both intertidally and subtid-ally, are primarily herbivorous, and feed on a variety of attached marine algae flour-ishing in the study areas. In this study, they constituted the predominant grazers, and the species whose numbers were ex-perimentally manipulated.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sea urchins are important herbivores on coral reefs, and in some ecosystems they play a critical role in maintaining the balance between coral and algae. Their role can be especially important on reefs where other herbivores (such as parrotfishes and rabbitfishes) have been depleted.

Detailed explanation-3: -About the Sea Urchin About 18 of them are edible. They primarily feed on algae and kelp, but are also omnivorous scavengers that will feed on animal matter.

Detailed explanation-4: -While herbivory by fishes and molluscs can influence macroalgal communities, sea urchins are by far the most destructive grazers of macroalgae and kelp forests (Steneck et al., 2002; Filbee-Dexter and Scheibling, 2014; Ling et al., 2015; Steneck, 2020).

Detailed explanation-5: -Sea urchins graze actively on seaweed using sharp jaw parts (found in a structure called Aristotle’s lantern) to chew up kelp, a favorite food source. These animals are prized for their roe which reaches peak quality in fall and winter months.