Illustrated guide to the echinoid (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) fauna of South Africa Author Filander, Zoleka Author Griffiths, Charles text Zootaxa 2017 4296 1 1 72 journal article 32399 10.11646/zootaxa.4296.1.1 ad746972-3837-4f1d-bf97-c09e5d7f1bd5 1175-5326 843325 EFE86EDD-D170-4D97-87D9-3125400713EC Echinometra mathaei ( Blainville, 1825 ) Fig. 47 A–B. Echinometra mathei : Döderlein, 1910 : 248 ; H.L. Clark, 1912 : 372 ; H.L. Clark, 1923 : 390 –391; Mortensen, 1943 : 381 –393. Pl. XLII, Figs 1–10 . Pl. XLVII, Figs 1–4 . Pl. LXV, Figs 16–26 ; Clark & Courtman-Stock, 1976 : 239; Coleman et al. , 1991 : 170; Richmond, 1997 : 298; Samyn, 2003: 204, Figs 3 E, E’; Branch et al ., 2010 : 234, Fig. 105.2; Schultz, 2010 : 214, Figs 401–405. Material examined. MBC-A 022263 ; MBC-A 022657 ; MBC-A023311; MBC-A077879; MBC-A077878; MBC- A077880; MBC-A077881; MBC-A077876; MBC-A077877; SAMC- 22262, Identification. Test strongly elongated, rarely somewhat circular; spines stout, with white basal flange (milled ring). Distinguished by color, cleaned test white, with faint light purple tint; spines vary in color, from white to brown, sometimes greenish or purplish, often tips and milled ring white. Global maximum size. Maximum test diameter 90 mm . Global distribution. Suez to East coast region of South Africa , from Japan to Australia , and from Hawaii to South Sea Islands ; from littoral to 30 m ( Schultz 2010 ). Remarks. Inhabits holes and tunnels amongst coral blocks, known to be a rock borer ( Mortensen 1943 ; Asgaard & Bromley 2008 )). Feeds on algae and encrusting organisms, especially sponges ( Mortensen 1943 ; Schultz 2010 ). Maher (2011) indicates that there is no genetic divergence amongst the color morphs in E. mathaei populations and suggests variation may be attributed to environmental parameters. However, the observed intraspecific variation may suggest a slow speciation process ( Rahman & Uehara 2004 ).