General Description
Body with proboscis projecting outward from front, with the mouth at the tip. Central body (trunk) behind the proboscis, with a raised, rounded area (tubercle) bearing four eyes. Eight segmented walking legs attached to the sides of the trunk. Short abdomen behind trunk. Leg span to 3 cm.
Biology
A rarely recorded species, possibly due to its cryptic colouring. Males carry the eggs, holding them between body parts called ovigers that hang under the animal.
Distribution
South-eastern Australia.
Habitat
Amongst brown algae, hydroids and bryozoans, to depth of 50m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Maximum Size
3 cm
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Habitats
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
Stock, 1973
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Common Name
Pycnogonid
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Other Names
Sea spider
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
avida