Scuba Season

Purple Sea Urchin

Paracentrotus lividus

Sighting evidence at Lough Hyne, Ireland

Purple Sea Urchin

Photo: Jamie O'Neill · CC BY

Lough Hyne hosts one of the northernmost healthy populations of this Mediterranean-Atlantic urchin, benefiting from the lake's slightly elevated water temperatures. Dense grazing bands carve characteristic urchin barrens into the kelp edge, creating a mosaic of habitats. Spawning events in spring turn the water briefly milky with gametes.

Evidence at this site

1 record within 25 km

Confidence: low

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites