Ologies with Alie Ward Echinology (SEA URCHINS & SAND DOLLARS) with Rich Mooi
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Apr 5, 2022 Rich Mooi, curator of echinoderms at the California Academy of Sciences, shares his passion for sea urchins and sand dollars, calling them the 'hedgehogs of the sea.' He dives into their unique adaptations, remarkable sensory capabilities, and ecological roles. The conversation unpacks the culinary delight of uni, and even touches on quirky behaviors like sea urchins wearing 3D-printed hats! Rich's infectious enthusiasm for these spiky creatures offers both humor and profound insights into the marine ecosystem's intricacies.
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Early Inspiration
- Rich Mooi, inspired by Rachel Carson's "The Sea Around Us", knew he wanted to be a marine biologist at a young age.
- Growing up in landlocked Toronto, he nurtured his passion through books and Cousteau documentaries.
Mentorship and Sand Dollars
- Dr. Mooi's mentor, Malcolm Telford, initially studied parasitic crabs on sea urchins.
- Telford shifted his focus to sand dollars, intrigued by their holes and flatness, inspiring Mooi's own interest.
Lunules and Lift
- Sand dollars have holes, called lunules, not for feeding, but to counteract lift from water currents.
- Their shape, like an airplane wing, creates lift, but the holes equalize pressure, helping them stay on the seabed.
