Anoplodactylus micros Bourdillon, 1955

Anoplodactylus micros Bourdillon View in CoL

Anoplodactylus micros Bourdillon, 1955:591-592 View in CoL , pl. I, figs 3-8

Material. Subadultus (ZSM-A- 20071604); Bahia del Rodadero, Santa Marta ; under stone, 0-0.5 m, 05.12. 2004 .

Description ( Fig. 12 View Fig )

Living animal of greenish colour. Ganglia and gut visible. Body oval, slender. Segmentation line visible between segments 1 and 2, fused between 2 nd to 4 th segments ( Fig. 13A,B View Fig ). Lateral processes with a distal knob ( Fig. 13E View Fig ), tipped with a spine only on 1 st segment. Walking legs separated from each other 0.3× as wide as their diameter ( Fig. 13B,G View Fig ).

Eye tubercle 2× as long as wide, with pointed apical protrusion ( Fig. 13B,J View Fig ). Eyes well pigmented, in the upper half of eye tubercle, at the base of the apical protrusion; left and right lateral organs in same position ( Fig. 13J View Fig ). Abdomen 2× as long as wide, directed upwards, with 2 dorsal spines ( Fig. 13K View Fig ).

Chelifores with 2 articles. 1 st article 2× as long as 2 nd ( Fig. 13C View Fig ). Fingers of chelae robust, with 2 pointed teeth on each inner side. Base of chelae with bristles ( Fig. 13D View Fig ).

Coxae 1-3 with terminal flat tubercle. The latter distally with one short and one thin spine ( Fig. 13G View Fig ). Coxa 3 1.5× as long as of coxa 1 and 2. Femur the longest leg article, followed by tibiae 1 and 2. Terminal tubercles more pronounced on femora and tibiae than on other leg articles, as well as spines which are longer and thicker ( Fig. 13H View Fig ). At the right and at the left, a smaller and thinner spine is found on these leg articles.

Propodus robust und curved ( Fig. 13F View Fig ). Tarsus wider than long and equipped with 2 ventral spines. In addition a dorsal protuberance is found ( Fig. 13F View Fig ). Dorsal side of propodus with median row of 3 regularly arranged medium-length-spines. On both sides of this row a short spine is inserted at ¼ of the length of the propodus. Heel at proximoventral side of propodus with 1 spine. In addition on heel 2 thin bristles are inserted medially, and 1 thin spine at the base ( Fig. 13I View Fig ).

Lamella located distally at} of the propodus’ length. 2 small bristles each inserted at its base and tip ( Fig. 13F View Fig ). Main claw 0.6× as long as propodus. 2 very small accessory claws at the base ( Fig. 13F View Fig ). Absence of ovigera and segmentation indicates juvenile stage of the studied pycnogonid.

Remarks. Anoplodactylus micros is a rather small, thin species. The studied individual was found near the shore under a stone, close to Millepora corals. The shape of the propodus and of the spine at its base are distinctive features of A. micros . We note absence of a segmentation line between segments 2 and 3 compared to the 2 individuals described in Müller (1990) and Müller & Krapp (in press) that have this border. To date, reports of A. micros are restricted to the Caribbean ( Müller 1990).