-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Echinoderms (Phylum Echinodermata)

-Sea Urchins and Sea Cucumbers (Subphylum Echinozoa)

-Sea Urchins, Sand Dollars, and Heart Urchins (Class Echinoidea)

-Sea Urchins (Subclass Euechinoidea)

-Infraclass Aulodonta

-Superorder Diadematacea

-Order Diadematoida

-Family Diadematidae

-Genus Diadema

-Pin Cushion Sea Urchin (Astropyga pulvinata)

The Pin Cushion Sea Urchin (Astropyga pulvinata) is a large, visually striking sea urchin found in tropical and subtropical waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. It has a rounded, slightly flattened body with a diameter of up to 20 cm (8 inches). Primarily nocturnal, it feeds on detritus and algae, playing a key role in maintaining reef health.