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Pycnogonum

Pycnogonum is a genus of sea spiders in the family Pycnogonidae. It is the type genus of the family.

Etymology

The generic name literally means “dense knees”. Pycnogonum combines the prefix ' (from ‘dense’ in Greek) with the Greek word for "knee": ().

Characteristics

Members of the genus Pycnogonum have squarish bodies with a tough integument and a few hairs. The cephalon (the anterior end of the body which is fused with the first segment of the trunk) has a long smooth proboscis and a low tubercle on which the eyes are set. There are no chelicerae or palps and these sea spiders use their proboscis to suck juices from their prey. On the first segment of the trunk of males there are small ovigerous legs with nine segments. The larvae are carried around by the males on these appendages. The four pairs of ambulatory legs are short but strong, with well-developed terminal claws. The genital openings are on the second segment of the posterior pair of legs.

Species

The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species:

References