Is the long-spined sea urchin a filter feeder?

No, the long-spined sea urchin is not a filter feeder. It primarily feeds on algae and detritus found on the ocean floor using its specialized mouthparts, known as Aristotle's lantern. This species plays a significant role in controlling algal growth in its ecosystem. Filter feeders, on the other hand, extract food particles from the water column, which is not the feeding strategy of long-spined sea urchins.