''Clypeaster australasiae'', the Australasian sand dollar, is a species of

sea urchin Sea urchins or urchins () are echinoderms in the class (biology), class Echinoidea. About 950 species live on the seabed, inhabiting all oceans and depth zones from the intertidal zone to deep seas of . They typically have a globular body cove ...

s of the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Clypeasteridae. Their armour is covered with spines. ''Clypeaster australasiae'' was first scientifically described in 1851 by Gray.Kroh, A. (2010). ''Clypeaster australasiae'' (Gray, 1851). In: Kroh, A. & Mooi, R. (2010
World Echinoidea Database
at the

World Register of Marine Species The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive catalogue and list of names of marine organisms. Content The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scien ...

. ''Clypeaster australaiae'' is a dark red-brown to cream coloured animal with a slightly convex upper surface and distinct markings in a flower-petal pattern. The surface of the

test Test(s), testing, or TEST may refer to: * Test (assessment), an educational assessment intended to measure the respondents' knowledge or other abilities Arts and entertainment * ''Test'' (2013 film), an American film * ''Test'' (2014 film) ...

is covered by a dense mat of small spines and tubercles.

Habitat

Silt, sand and reef to 130m depth. The animals can be abundant in some areas, but are not often seen as they usually bury themselves in the sediment and prefer deeper water.

Distribution

Port Phillip Port Phillip (Kulin languages, Kulin: ''Narm-Narm'') or Port Phillip Bay is a horsehead-shaped bay#Types, enclosed bay on the central coast of southern Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. The bay opens into the Bass Strait via a short, ...

Heads, Victoria, to

Bowen, Queensland Bowen is a coastal town and Suburbs and localities (Australia), locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the , the locality of Bowen had a population of 11,205 people. The locality contains two other towns: * Heronvale, Quee ...

, and western

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

. Also

Lord Howe Island Lord Howe Island (; formerly Lord Howe's Island) is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, part of the Australian state of New South Wales. It lies directly east of mainland Port ...

and

Norfolk Island Norfolk Island ( , ; ) is an States and territories of Australia, external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, directly east of Australia's Evans Head, New South Wales, Evans Head and a ...

Size

Length up to 150mm.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1887186 Echinoderms described in 1851 australasiae