Pycnogonidae

Pycnogonidae
Pycnogonum littorale
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Chelicerata
Class:
Pycnogonida
Order:
Pantopoda
Family:
Pycnogonidae

Wilson, 1878 [1]
Genera
See text

Pycnogonidae is a family of sea spiders.

Characteristics

Most sea spiders in the class Pycnogonida have appendages on the anterior end of the body called chelifores which are used for gathering food and palps which bear sensory organs. Members of the family Pycnogonidae have neither of these, instead using their proboscis to suck juices from their prey. On the first segment of the trunk of male family members there are ovigerous legs on which the larvae are carried. The females do not have these appendages.[2]

Genera

The World Register of Marine Species lists the following genera:[1]

  • Pentapycnon Bouvier, 1910
  • Pycnogonum Bruennich, 1764
  • Pycnopallene Stock, 1950

References
  1. Pycnogonidae World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
  2. Family Pycnogonidae Marine Species Identification Portal. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
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