Research Article |
Corresponding author: Jesus A. de León-González ( jesus.deleongn@uanl.edu.mx ) Academic editor: Bonnie Bain
© 2015 Angel de León-Espinosa, Jesus A. de León-González.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
de León-Espinosa A, de León-González JA (2015) Pycnogonids associated with the giant lion´s-paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus (Sowerby) in Ojo de Liebre Bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico. ZooKeys 530: 129-149. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.530.6064
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Five species of epibenthic pycnogonids collected on the giant lion´s-paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus are recorded. A new species of Eurycyde, E. bamberi, is described. Of the 19 species known in this genus; the new species is closest to E. hispida Kroyer, 1844 but differs from it in the absence of plumose spines and the shapes of the lateral process, first coxa, and ocular tubercle. The new species represents the third member of Eurycyde from the eastern Pacific in addition to E. spinosa Hilton, 1916 and E. clitellaria Stock, 1955. Besides E. bamberi, the following species were collected: Nymphopsis duodorsospinosa Hilton, 1942c; Callipallene californiensis (Hall, 1913); Nymphon lituus Child, 1979; and Pycnogonum rickettsi Schmitt, 1934. Pycnogonum rickettsi is recorded for first time from Mexican waters, as is Nymphon lituus from the western coast of Baja California Peninsula. Each of these four species are re-described and re-illustrated in order to fill in existing gaps in the literature of the region.
Pycnogonida , new species, new records, Mexico, epifauna, Nodipecten subnodosus
Pycnogonids are arthropods known as “sea spiders,” comprising a relatively small group of invertebrates that are distributed in all marine habitats from the intertidal zone to abyssal depths (
Pycnogonid studies in Mexico have been discontinuous and sporadic:
During a series of samplings made between 2012 and 2013 in Ojo de Liebre bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, giant lion´s paw scallops were captured by scuba diving at depths not exceeding 10 meters in four fishing areas: El Datil (AD), El Chocolatero (AH), La Concha (AC) and El Zacatoso (AZ). Each scallop was collected individually in zip-lock bags to prevent loss of specimens associated with this clam. The biological material was transported in plastic containers to the station of the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Guerrero Negro, the associated fauna were separated under a stereomicroscope, and placed in vials with 70% ethanol for later identification. Five pycnogonid species were found, and they were deposited in the Collection Carcinológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. For each species the material examined section is listed as follows: fishing area name, coordinates, catalog number (
Holotype (1 male), Ojo de Liebre bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, scallop fishing area: El Datil, 27°48'43"N, 114°15'06"W, (
Proboscis articulated, proximal portion a cylindrical tube approximately one quarter of the total size, distal part pyriform, 3 smooth lips (Fig.
Chelifores with three segments, first scape segment slightly longer than second, with a long spine at the distal part directed forward, second scape segment with five ventrolateral spines and a smaller dorsal spine. Third segment approximately 1/3 the size of the second one, spineless, widening towards the distal part, ending in a smooth chela without auxiliary teeth (Fig.
Palp consists of ten segments, first one short, 0.05 mm long, second segment shorter than first one (1/3 its length), third segment approximately 0.55 mm long with two dorsal spines between the second and final third of the segment; the fourth segment smaller, 1/3 of the third one, with a spine on the distal end; fifth segment as long as the third one, with a line of lateral spines aligned forward starting in the second third of the segment and ending at the distal end; sixth segment small, half the size of the fourth, with three spines on the ventrodistal end, two on the ventral side and one at the dorsodistal end; seventh to ninth segments similar in both size and shape, with two rows of spines running along the entire ventral surface; tenth segment smaller than previous ones, with a row of spines on the ventral surface (Fig.
Small ocular tubercle, inserted at edge of cephalic segment, without lateral spines, twice as tall as its diameter capped with an inverted cone, with four pronounced eyes (Fig.
Trunk compact, spineless, suture lines slightly marked (Fig.
Lateral processes smooth, well-developed, longer than the width of the body and without spines or tubercles, separated by less than half of their own diameter.
With four long, slender walking leg pairs. Coxa I very short (0.1mm) with two thick dorsolateral tubercles, coxa II longer (0.17mm) with two short spines, one median dorsal and one ventrodistal, coxa III (0.14mm) slightly shorter than coxa II, with two short ventral spines, one median and one at the dorsodistal end. Femur smooth, armed with three long distal spines, one dorsal and two lateral. Tibiae I and II long, nearly subequal. Tibia I, armed with three dorsal and two mid-lateral spines, a long dorsodistal spine, seven ventral spines, smaller, in a row and two longer distal spines. Tibia II, with six long dorsal spines and a ventral row with 22 smaller setae. Tarsus, with a ventral row formed by eight setae. Propodus slightly curved, armed with seven dorsal spines and a ventral row of 19 sole spines. Thick claw, without auxiliary claws (Fig.
Oviger composed of 10 segments, first three short, segments 1 and 3 subequal, segment 2 slightly longer, fourth and fifth segments long and subequal, first to fourth segments without spines or setae, fifth segment with a ventral row of five moderately sized setae, sixth segment 2/3 the length of segment 5, with three ventral and two apical setae located dorsally, seventh to tenth segments smaller, with two rows of spines, the first row with the formula 7: 5: 5: 8, and the second row of spines similar in shape, but smaller than the first ones with the formula 9: 7: 6: 8. Last segment ends in a thick terminal claw (Fig.
Long cylindrical abdomen, extended at an angle of 45°, exceeding the length of the lateral processes and first coxae combined, of the fourth pair of legs; distal end of abdomen with 7 long thin spines, the rest smooth (Fig.
Proboscis 1.3 mm long, divided in two segments, proximal one of 0.35 mm long, distal segment 0.95 mm long, 0.35 mm wide.
Body 1.5 mm long from anterior end of cephalic segment to end of fourth lateral processes, 1 mm wide between second pair of lateral processes.
Leg 1 3.72 mm long from coxa I to the tip of main claw. Coxa I, 0.1 mm, coxa II, 0.17 mm, coxa III, 0.14 mm, femur 0.81 mm, tibia I, 0.89 mm, tibia II, 0.97 mm, tarsus, 0.08 mm, propodus 0.44 mm, claw 0.12 mm.
Oviger 2.45 mm long, first segment 0.09 mm, second 0.11 mm, third 0.09 mm, fourth 0.62 mm, fifth 0.56 mm, sixth 0.40 mm, seventh 0.2 mm, eighth 0.13 mm, ninth 0.12 mm, tenth 0.13 mm.
This species is known only from Ojo de Liebre bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Specific name is in honor of Roger Bamber for his great work on the knowledge of pycnogonids, who died recently on February 16, 2015.
Eurycyde is a relatively small genus. Until the present report, it was represented by 19 species and of these, only E. spinosa Hilton, 1916 and E. clitellaria Stock, 1955 have been previously recorded for the eastern Pacific. The first one was described from Laguna Beach, California, the second described from the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea and later reported from Tenacatita Bay, Jalisco by
Species | Plumose spines | Lateral processes | Coxa I | Ocular tubercle shape | Type locality | Reference |
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E. acanthopus Stock, 1979 | Present on 1st and 2nd tibia | With a dorsal spine | With two tall dorsal pointed spines | Tall and slender, without distal spines | Caracas, Venezuela |
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E. antarctica Child, 1987 | Present on 1st tibia | With a short dorsal tubercle inserted distally | Without associated structures | With broad base tapering to slender anterior tip, with four tiny slender tubercles | Adare Peninsula, Ross Sea |
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E. arctica Child, 1995 | Absent | With a short dorsal tubercle inserted distally | With two short latero-dorsal spines | Short, twice taller than its diameter | Amchitka Island, Aleutians |
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E. bamberi sp.n. | Absent | Without associated structures | With two thick dorsolateral spines | Short, globose, distally pointed, twice taller than its diameter | Ojo de Liebre Bay, Baja California Sur, México | This work |
E. clitellaria Stock, 1955 | Present on 1st and 2nd tibia | With a dorsal spine | With two tall dorsal pointed spines | Tall and slender, with subdistal spines | Virgin Islands, Caribbean Sea |
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E. curvata Child, 1979 | Present on 1st and 2nd tibia | With a distal and lateral tubercles | With five tubercles inserted distally | Thin and tall, without distal spines | Cabo de la Vela, Colombia, Caribbean |
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E. depressa Child, 1995 | Absent | With two short latero-dorsal spines | With 3-4 short spines | Very low, as wide as tall | Semisopochnoi Island, Aleutians |
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E. diacantha Stock, 1990 | Present on distal end of femur, 1st and 2nd tibia | Without associated structures | With two heavy, almost triangular, pointed tubercles | Short, 2.5 times longer than its diameter | Cape Verde Islands |
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E. flagella Nakamura & Chullasorn, 2000 | Present on chelifore, coxae I and II, and on ocular tubercle | First to third pairs of lateral processes with tall tubercles, fourth pair with low tubercles | With two long feathered spines on first two coxae | Tall, slender, four times longer than it´s diameter, with three feathered spines at tip | Puket Island, Thailand |
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E. gorda Child, 1979 | Present on coxa II, distal end of femur, 1st and 2nd tibia | Without associated structures | Without associated structures | Short, thick, with a distal circle of pointed spines | Galeta Island, Panamá, Caribbean |
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E. hispida (Krøyer, 1844) | Present on legs and abdomen | With a setae inserted laterally | Without associated structures | Tall and thin | Greenland |
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E. longioculata Muller, 1990 | Absent | Without associated structures | With two thick dorsolateral spines, anterior one smaller than posterior one on first three pairs of coxae, last pair with equal size protuberances | Tall and thin, with more than five distal spines | Bora Bora, Society Islands, South Pacific |
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E. longisetosa Hilton, 1942 | Present on distal end of femur, 1st and 2nd tibia | Without associated structures | With two latero-dorsal tubercles inserted distally | Short and slender, with two long and thin distal spines | Utria Harbor, Pacific of Colombia |
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E. muricata Child, 1995 | Present along body | Present with 3-5 short spines | With two long lateral and one dorsal spines | Tall and slender, globose distally | Rat Islands Group, Aleutians |
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E. platyspina Stock, 1992 | Present on coxa II and III, distal end of femur, 1st and 2nd tibia | Present, a short dorsal tubercle inserted distally and some scattered spines | With two latero-dorsal tubercles inserted distally and two proximal spines | Short, three times taller than its diameter | North to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil |
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E. raphiaster Loman, 1912 | Absent | With a dorsal tiny spine | With two protuberances, anterior one smaller than posterior one on first three pairs of coxae, last pair with equal size protuberances | With six long apical spines | Originally described from Monaco; type locality not specified, other records are from Caribbean Sea and Cape Verde Islands |
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E. sertula Child, 1991 | Present along body | First to third pairs of lateral processes with conical tubercles, fourth pair with smaller tubercles | First to third pairs of coxae with a small conical antero-distal tubercle, and a larger postero-distal tubercle armed with two long plumose spines | Short, 2.5 times longer than its diameter, with five long apical spines | Guam island, Philippine Sea |
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E. setosa Child, 1988 | Present along legs from coxae to tibia II | With a short rounded distal tubercle that decrease in size from anterior to posterior lateral processes | With two heavy, almost triangular, pointed tubercles, anterior one shorter than posterior one, both covered by tiny spines | Three times as long as maximum diameter, with seven spines inserted distally | Batan Island, Philippines |
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E. spinosa Hilton, 1916 | Absent | Without associated structures | With two thick dorsolateral spines and a single large spine | Short, conical | Laguna Beach, California |
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E. unispina Stock, 1986 | Present on 1st and 2nd tibia | Without associated structures | With a tall dorsal spur | Strongly pointed, with a distal spine | Straits of Florida |
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Based on the key proposed by
The following species are illustrated and described in full since their previous descriptions are quite outdated and in some cases, like Nymphopsis duodorsospinosa, very incomplete. This will help facilitate future identification of eastern Pacific pycnogonids as well as help to differentiate new species as they are collected and described from this region.
Nymphopsis duodorsospinosa
Ojo de Liebre Bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, scallop fishing area: La Concha, 27°50'35"N, 114°16'22"W, (
Proboscis cylindrical, vertical to body, with three smooth lips, narrow at the proximal portion, thicker toward the distal part, three times longer than wide (Fig.
Chelifore scape two-segmented, first one short, with two small setae on distal end, second one three times as long as 1st segment, narrow for most of its length and widening at its distal end, with a long dorsal spine and two smaller distal setae located directly in front of the long spine. The widened distal end is encircled by a fringe of long setae. Chela small, retractable inside the wide end of the second scape segment (Fig.
Palp with nine segments, first and third short, second one longest, all these without setae. Segment four 2/3 length of segment 2, with a series of five dorsal setae, two isolated ventral setae, and a group of smaller basal setae; segments 5–9 with a row of long ventral setae; segments 7–8 each with a cluster of anterior distal setae (Fig.
A well-developed ocular tubercle inserted a little behind the anterior margin of the body, tall, cylindrical, ending in a conical apex, with four black eyes near the top (Fig.
Trunk slightly longer than wide, 3.1 mm long from anterior end of chelifore to distal end of abdomen, 2.1 mm wide between second pair of lateral processes, with spines on the dorsodistal end of the lateral processes. With two notable dorsal trunk tubercles covered with spines. No segmentation lines between body segments (Fig.
Lateral processes well developed, longer than the width of the body, separated by a space equal to their own diameter, with one or two tufts of small setae on the dorso-distal end of each process. Lateral processes on legs 1–3 each have one or two additional longer spines at the dorso-distal end.
Legs adorned with numerous spines. Coxa I and III together, as long as coxa II, coxa I (0.3 mm) with a median dorsal spine (legs 1–3) and a row of lateral spines on each side, coxa II (0.67 mm) with a long dorsal spine inserted medially, and two ventrodistal spines on legs 1 and 2 (Fig.
Oviger formed by ten segments, first one very short, second, fourth, and fifth longest, nearly subequal, third segment is 2/3 the length of segment 2 and curved, armed with a dorsal row of setae, fourth with a small cluster of dorsodistal setae, fifth with two long lateral spines and a ventral cluster of long spines at the distal end. Segment six with two lateral groups of two spines each, and a dorso-distal group of two smaller spines. Segment seven with a lateral row of seven long spines, and a dorso-distal row of three spines; segment eight with a row of five dorsal spines, a row of four lateral spines and two ventral spines; segment nine longer than seven, with a dorso-ventral hook-like spine. Segment ten very small, with two hook-like terminal spines (Fig.
Long slightly curved abdomen, directed posteriorly at an angle less than 45°, with three pairs of dorsal spines, each one with small setae at the base (Fig.
Proboscis 1.5 mm long, 0.76 mm wide.
Body 1.45 mm long from anterior end of cephalic segment to end of 4th lateral processes, 2.57 mm wide between second pair of lateral processes.
Leg 1 7.98 mm long from coxa I to the tip of main claw. Coxa I, 0.3 mm, coxa II, 0.67 mm, coxa III, 0.48 mm, femur 1.58 mm, tibia I, 1.58 mm, tibia II, 1.5 mm, tarsus, 0.3 mm, propodus 0.8 mm, claw 0.68 mm.
Oviger 2.71 mm long, first segment 0.06 mm, second 0.49 mm, third 0.32 mm, fourth 0.53 mm, fifth 0.56 mm, sixth 0.24 mm, seventh 0.19 mm, eighth 0.14 mm, ninth 0.18 mm, and tenth 0.04 mm.
The type locality of Nymphopsis duodorsospinosa is San Francisquito Bay, Gulf of California (
Pallene californiensis
Callipallene californiensis:
Callipallene solicitatus
Ojo de Liebre Bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, scallop fishing area: La Concha, 27°50'35"N, 114°16'22"W, (
Proboscis short and rounded distally (Fig.
Chelifores with two segments: scape one-segmented, short, with a distal row of short spines. Chela large, chelate, with two dorsal and lateral rows of three spines each. The inferior chela finger is thin, articulated, with eleven teeth, extending beyond the distal portion of the upper finger, armed with nine teeth (Fig.
Palps absent. Ocular tubercle conical and apparently eyeless, located on cephalic segment just forward of the first pair of lateral processes (Fig.
Trunk short, robust, anterior corners of the first body segment rounded. Slender neck basally, almost as thick as its length in the distal part (Fig.
Lateral processes without accessory structures, first and second pairs separated approximately by twice their diameters, second to fourth pairs separated approximately by their own diameter (Fig.
Oviger consists of ten segments, first three short, fourth segment as long as the second and third ones together. Fifth segment longest, with an apophysis at the distal end and a row of four long spines on the ventral surface. Apophysis has several long ventral setae. Sixth segment short, with a cluster of long setae at the ventrodistal end. Segments seven to ten (strigilis) each have a single ventral row of denticulate oviger spines with the formula 7: 8: 10: 7, and long setae are present on the dorsodistal end of segments seven, eight, and nine (Fig.
Legs consisting of eight segments (Fig.
Abdomen short, conical, as long as its diameter, located above the fourth segment of the body, its front end marking the separation between the third and fourth segments (Fig.
Proboscis 0.3 mm long, 0.29 mm wide.
Body 0.7 mm long from anterior end of cephalic segment to end of fourth lateral processes, 0.43 mm wide between second pair of lateral processes.
Leg 1 4.39 mm long from coxa I to the tip of main claw. Coxa I, 0.15 mm, coxa II, 0.54 mm, coxa III, 0.23 mm, femur 1.08 mm, tibia I, 0.78 mm, tibia II, 1.08 mm, tarsus, 0.05 mm, propodus 0.34 mm, claw 0.14 mm.
Oviger 1.5 mm long, first segment 0.05 mm, second 0.1 mm, third 0.14 mm, fourth 0.25 mm, fifth 0.37 mm, sixth 0.11 mm, seventh 0.12 mm, eighth 0.11 mm, ninth 0.13 mm, tenth 0.12 mm.
Laguna Beach, California, La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, and Pacific coast of Panama.
Callipallene californiensis (Hall, 1913) had been reported rarely and appeared to be restricted to California.
Nymphon lituus
Ojo de Liebre Bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, scallop fishing areas: Chocolatero, 27°53'04"N, 114°15'06"W, (
Proboscis cylindrical, longer than wide, horizontal to body (Fig.
Chelifore with two segments, the scape cylindrical. Fingers of the chela slender, longer than the basal part, which is inflated and rectangular, with a single median dorsal spine and 3 large dorsal setae in a row at the distal end, next to the articulation with the movable finger; and 2 long and 3 shorter setae on the ventral surface. The fixed finger has 29–30 slender chela teeth. Upper movable finger without setae, armed with 25 small teeth. The tips of the fingers slightly curved, overlapping distally (Fig.
Palps of five segments. First segment, very short. Second segment longest, with one large dorsodistal seta. Third segment is 2/3 the length of segment two with three ventral isolated setae. Fourth segment twice as long as segment one, with a ventral row of eight setae. Fifth segment 1.5 times as long as fourth segment, with two parallel rows of nine and seven long ventral setae, terminal end with a cluster of four setae (Fig.
Ocular tubercle inserted between the first pair of lateral processes, cone-shaped, with two small projections in the form of papillae, with two pairs of eyes (Fig.
Trunk slender, segmented. Neck 4.5 times longer than its width, smaller, cylindrical, widening in the form of a calyx, with a pair of conical, short anterior projections (Fig.
Lateral processes between first and second pairs separated slightly by their own diameters, second and third pairs separated by 1.5 times their diameters, and third and fourth pairs separated by less than their own diameters (Fig.
Legs long and slender (Fig.
Oviger (Fig.
Female gonopores oval in shape, present on ventrodistal end of coxa II of all leg pairs. These were observed on only two specimens (AD-8 and AC-15). All other specimens (males) without readily visible gonopores.
Abdomen as long as lateral processes of 4th pair of legs, elevated from the body at an angle of about 30° (Fig.
Proboscis 0.57 mm long, 0.28 mm wide.
Body 1.43 mm long from anterior end of cephalic segment to end of 4th lateral processes, 1.0 mm wide between second pair of lateral processes.
Leg 1 9.35 mm long from coxa I to the tip of main claw. Coxa I, 0.37 mm, coxa II, 0.71 mm, coxa III, 0.41 mm, femur 1.84 mm, tibia I, 2.02 mm, tibia II, 2.78 mm, tarsus, 0.35 mm, propodus 0.71 mm, claw 0.16 mm.
Oviger 3.19 mm long, first segment 0.78 mm, second 0.81 mm, third 0.38 mm, fourth 0.44 mm, fifth 0.19 mm, sixth 0.22 mm, seventh 0.38 mm, eighth 0.24 mm, ninth 0.24 mm, tenth 0.21 mm.
This species is known from Gulf of California and Panama: specimens from Gulf of California were taken on floating Sargassum around Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, and in Panama City, among hydroids and bryozoans (
The genus Nymphon includes 277 valid species (
Pycnogonum rickettsi
Pycnogonum rickettsi.
Ojo de Liebre Bay, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, scallop fishing area: La Concha, 27°50'35"N, 114°16'22"W, (
Proboscis robust, longer than wide, slightly down-curved, articular membrane at base of proboscis narrow (Fig.
Ocular tubercle high, bell-shaped, with two pairs of large strongly pigmented eyes (Fig.
Trunk robust, segmented, integument granular (Fig.
Lateral processes separated by approximately one third of their width, all as long as wide, those of the first segment are directed forward, the second and third lateral processes are directed straight out and the fourth ones point backwards (Fig.
Legs: Coxae I and II subequal, coxa III shortest, articular membrane between segments wide. Femur is the longest segment, with two conical projections on dorsodistal end and a group of isolated setae on ventral surface. Tibia I is slightly shorter than femur and is nearly twice the length of tibia II, with two dorsodorsal conical projections, similar to those found on the femur, with a strong recurved spine between the conical projections, and isolated setae on the ventral surface; tibia II short, with a slight dorsal depression mid-segment, a strong distal recurved spine, and a small group of ventral setae placed in 3–4 regular rows. Tarsus short, with 6–7 rows of setae that almost completely cover the ventral surface. Propodus nearly as long as femur, with four rows of sole spines. Claw approximately 50% of propodus length, auxiliary claws absent (Fig.
Chelifores: absent
Palps: absent
Oviger: absent.
Female gonopore evident, oval, well-defined, situated on dorso-lateral surface of coxa II of fourth pair of legs (Fig.
Abdomen 0.8 mm long, smooth, cylindrical, reaching distal margin of coxa I on fourth pair of legs, with four small spines on middle dorsal area (Fig.
Proboscis 2.2 mm long, 0.9 mm wide.
Body 2.08 mm long from anterior end of cephalic segment to end of fourth lateral processes, 1.91 mm wide between second pair of lateral processes.
Leg 1 6.0 mm long from coxa I to the tip of main claw. Coxa I, 0.5 mm, coxa II, 0.6 mm, coxa III, 0.3 mm, femur 1.2 mm, tibia I, 1.1 mm, tibia II, 0.6 mm, tarsus, 0.2 mm, propodus 1.0 mm, claw 0.5 mm.
Puget Sound to the southern California Bight; this is the first record from western Mexico.
Only a single female specimen was collected in this study. The specimen reported in this paper differs in some characteristics from the holotype of Pycnogonum rickettsi. However, we think it may be premature to describe this specimen as a new species because our specimen is a female and that described by
This work was financially supported by the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Grant number PAICYT CN937). We are extremely grateful to Katsumi Miyazaki, Anna Soler and Bonnie Bain reviewers and editor respectively whose comments and suggestions were much appreciated and very helpful in improving the manuscript. Many thanks to Jesús Flores and Jesús Mendieta for their help with the collections and sorting of samples. We are grateful to David Lazcano for providing valuable comments on an earlier manuscript.