Project information
Project aim
Pycnogonids are primitive, bizarre arthropods. Found worldwide, Antarctic pycnogonids are the most diverse, abundant, and include some of the most spectacular forms. Near 250 species from the region are known, many in need for taxonomic revision, and more species new to science likely to be found. This project will document diversity of pycnogonids and target widely distributed species to obtain morphological, genetic and ecological information on distribution patterns and evolutionary history. This combined approach should provide a better insight of the roles of sea spiders in Antarctic biodiversity and the evolution and radiation of Antarctic marine benthic fauna.
Related publications
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Evidence from morphological and genetic data confirms that Colossendeis tenera Hilton, 1943 (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida), does not belong to the Colossendeis megalonyx Hoek, 1881 complex. Organisms Diversity and Evolution, 2013
(Ref: 14981)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
Within the Pycnogonida, genetic studies have … revealed that Colossendeis megalonyx Hoek (Challenger … Report, Zoology, 3(X), 1–167, 1881), consists of a complex of … several cryptic or overlooked species.
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Biodiversity and biogeography of Southern Ocean pycnogonids. Ecography, 2011
(Ref: 14983)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
The pycnogonids of the Southern Ocean have been studied for almost two centuries and have played a key role in shaping previous biogeographic regions for the Antarctic benthos.
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The mitochondrial genome of Colossendeis megalonyx supports a basal position of Colossendeidae within the Pycnogonida. Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2011
(Ref: 14982)
Authors:Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
We present the almost complete (16,007 bp) mitochondrial genome of a Colossendeis megalonyx specimen from the Southern Ocean and discuss gene order and tRNA structure in a comparative phylogenetic context.
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New species of Australian Pseudopallene (Pycnogonida: Callipallenidae) based on live colouration, morphology and DNA. Zootaxa, 2013
(Ref: 14980)
Authors:Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
Callipallenid sea spiders are commonly found in southern Australian waters. The genera Pseudopallene and Stylopallene are frequent epibionts of arborescent bryozoan colonies of Orthoscuticella spp. and Amathia spp. Based on external morphology, colouration patterns…
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Genetic differentiation in the circum-Antarctic seaspider Nymphon australe (Pycnogonida, Nymphonidae). Deep-Sea Research II, 2011
(Ref: 14444)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature