Pycnogonida |
Pantopoda |
Phoxichilidiidae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Benthic; depth range 0 - 40 m (Ref. 1852). Tropical
Western Central Atlantic and the Indo-West Pacific: Melanesia, African Atlantic coasts.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Anterior lateral processes broader than posterior pairs, imparting triangular aspect to trunk in dorsal view. Proboscis tapering from broad base gradually to narrow distal section and tiny mouth, curved dorsally in distal half. Legs short; tibiae short, with setose bulges. Auxiliary claws tiny, sometimes absent (Ref. 2115, p. 41).
A benthic species found in intertidal and subtidal areas (Ref. 83931). Coastal to shelf (Ref. 19); shallow depths; from shore to 40 m (Ref. 1852). Epibiotic (Ref. 116112).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Members of the class Pycnogonida are gonochoric and sexually dimorphic. During copulation, male usually suspends itself beneath the female. Fertilization occurs as the eggs leave the female's ovigers. Males brood the egg masses until they hatch. Life cycle: Eggs hatch into protonymphon larva then to adults.
Child, C.A. 1988 Pycnogonida of the Western Pacific Islands, III: Recent Smithsonian-Philippine Expeditions. Smithsonian Contribution to Zoology No. 468. Smithsonian Instition Press. Washington, DC. 32 p. + Figure 1 -3. (Ref. 6)
IUCN Red List Status
(Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
| FishSource |
Tools
More information
Trophic EcologyFood items (preys)
Diet composition
Food consumption
Predators
Population dynamicsGrowth
Max. ages / sizes
Length-weight rel.
Length-length rel.
Length-frequencies
Mass conversion
Abundance
Life cycleReproductionMaturityFecunditySpawningEggsEgg developmentLarvae PhysiologyOxygen consumption
Human RelatedStamps, coins, misc.
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 18.3 - 28.9, mean 27.4 (based on 926 cells).
Price category
Unknown.
