Review: Biology of the commercially used sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758) (Echinoidea: Echinodermata)

Abstract

Tripneustes gratilla is a species of sea urchin in shallow tropical waters. The species is economically and commercially important, has ecological value, and prospects as a biological control agent. It is considered as the commercially traded sea urchin. Overexploitation has caused a sharp decline in T. gratilla populations. Understanding biological aspects of T. gratilla is critical to the sustainable use of this resource in the future.