Family NYMPHONIDAE Wilson, 1878

Nymphon australe

© Copyright C. Arango. Queensland Museum.

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Introduction

The nominate genus of family Nymphonidae, Nymphon, is the most speciose genus in Pycnogonida. Nymphonids are widely distributed and morphologically conservative. The group is closely related to callipallenids, but a broader taxon sampling is needed to understand the internal phylogenetic relationships of nymphon species, nymphonid genera and their affinities to callipallenids (Arango & Wheeler 2007). (See Introduction for Callipallenidae.)

Nymphonids are characterised by having 'complete', functional cephalic appendages: these are functional chelifores with chelae and teeth and functional palps. Ovigers occur in both sexes.

Diagnosis

Of all sizes; chelifores with 1-segmented scape, chelae usually large, fully formed, with teeth, functional; palps 5- segmented (1 genus has 4 segments); ovigers in both sexes, 10-segmented, with strong functional strigilis having many spines and terminal claw; legs with or without auxiliary claws. Cement gland(s) ventral, rarely seen. Contains 10- and 12-legged forms.

General References

Arango, C.P. & Wheeler, W.C. 2007. Phylogeny of the sea spiders (Arthropoda, Pycnogonida) based on direct optimization of six loci and morphology. Cladistics 23: 255-293

Wilson, E.B. 1881. Report on the Pycnogonida. Reports on the results of dredging...Blake. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 8(12): 239-256

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