Eucidaris galapagensis, commonly referred to as the slate pencil sea urchin, is a species of echinoderms in the family of Cidaroid.

[7] Additionally, they exhibit a top-down control in the Galápagos Marine Reserve, and their presence may alter the sessile community composition.

[9] Eucidaris Galapagensis are adapted and acclimated to short-term, local temperature fluctuations, and they have substantially greater thermal tolerances.

[10] Habitats suffering from climate impacts can be infiltrated by Eucidaris Galapagensis, resulting in “Urchin Barrens”, which are desolate, overgrazed coralline reefs that are replaced with algae.

[4] When fishing presence is not a threat, Eucidaris Galapagensis will exhibit larger size and ubiquitous occurrence.

[11] Historically, the removal of lobster and fish predators enhances the impacts of El Niño through the expansion of grazing Eucidaris galapagensis.