Pycnogonum
| Pycnogonum | |
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| Pycnogonum litorale | |
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| Genus: | Pycnogonum |
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Pycnogonum is a genus of sea spiders in the family Pycnogonidae. It is the type genus of the family.[2]
Etymology
The generic name literally means “dense knees”. Pycnogonum combines the prefix pycno- (from ‘dense’ in Greek) with the Greek word for "knee": gony (γόνυ).[2][3][4]
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.[5]
Species
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species:[1]
References
- ^ a b Pycnogonum - Bruennich, 1764 World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ a b "pycnogonid". The Free Dictionary.
From New Latin Pycnogonida, class name, from Pycnogonum, type genus: Greek puknos, thick + Greek gonu, knee; see genu- in Indo-European roots.
- ^ "pycnogonid". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.: "ultimately from Greek pyknos + gony knee"
- ^ Arnaud, F.; Bamber, R.N. (1 December 1987). "The Biology of Pycnogonida". Advances in Marine Biology. 24. Academic Press: 3. ISBN 978-0-08-057947-4.
pycnogonids (meaning "dense-knees")
- ^ Genus Pycnogonum Marine Species Identification Portal. Retrieved 2011-11-22.