Child, C. A. (1998). The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Pycnogonida (Sea Spiders). NIWA Biodiversity Memoir. No. : 109.
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Child, C. A.
1998
The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Pycnogonida (Sea Spiders)
NIWA Biodiversity Memoir
No. : 109
Publication
Ninety-four species (including subspecies) of Pycnogonida are known from the New Zealand region and described in this report. Forty of these species are described from new material, which includes six new species: Ammothea acheliata, Ascorhynchus orthostomum, Nymphon uncatum, N. trispinum, Hedgpethia eleommata, and Pallenopsis (Pallenopsis) latus. A key to pycnogonid families is given, the genera of each family represented by species found in New Zealand are diagnosed, the type species is given, and the distribution of each genus is generalised. Each species known to inhabit New Zealand waters is listed with its distribution and a brief diagnosis, and compared with similar species where practical in a remarks section. The new species are fully described, illustrated, measured, and compared with known similar species. A list of all NIWA stations known to have produced pycnogonids from New Zealand waters is enumerated. A section on zoogeography is included in which the New Zealand fauna and its affinities with nearby and more distant faunas are discussed. Previous literature and the state of current pycnogonid knowledge are elaborated.
