PORT PHILLIP BAY


Pycnogonid 

Nymphon novaehollandiae Clark, 1963

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Family level characters.
TRUNK: Elongate, typically with lateral processes well separated.
ABDOMEN: short, unsegmented at base.
EYES: 4
PROBOSCIS: short
SCAPES: One segmented.
CHELAE: Usually large, well developed, with teeth.
PALPS: 5-segmented (one genus has 4 segments).
OVIGERS: 10-segmented both sexes, compound spines and full strigilis, terminal claw present. No apophysis
LEGS: 8, 10 or 12 legs.
TARSUS: Shorter than propodus.
AUXILIARY CLAWS: Present or absent.
CEMENT GLAND: Ventral, rarely evident.
GENITAL PORES: Male, ventral surface coxa 2 legs 3 & 4; female all legs.

Genus level characters.
TRUNK: Usually elongate, segmented. Lateral processes well separated or crowded, setae, spines, glabrous and rarely with tubercles.
ABDOMEN: unsegmented.
EYES: Ocular tubercle at rear of cephalic segment.
PROBOSCIS: Short
SCAPES: One-segmented.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Cheliceriformes
Class:
Pycnogonida
Order:
Pantopoda
Family:
Nymphonidae
Genus:
Nymphon
Species:
novaehollandiae

Other Names

  • Sea spider

General Description

Body with proboscis projecting outward from front, with the mouth at the tip. Central body (trunk) behind the proboscis, with a raised, rounded area (tubercle) bearing four eyes. Eight segmented walking legs attached to the sides of the trunk. Short abdomen behind trunk, unsegmented. Leg span about 1 cm

Biology

This species appears to be adopted to holding prey between its toothed chelae. They have been collected in low numbers of 1-2 individuals. Males carry the eggs, holding them between body parts called ovigers that hang under the animal.

Habitat

Usually in sediments rich in invertebrates such as polychaetes, to depth of 329 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Sea spiders

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

1 cm

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Staples, D.

David Staples is a consultant with expertise in pycnogonid taxonomy.

citation

Cite this page as:
Staples, D., 2011, Pycnogonid, Nymphon novaehollandiae, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6255

Text: creative commons cc by licence