Anoplodactylus (Pycnogonida: Phoxichilidiidae)from Brazil, new records and two new species

Abstract

Anoplodactylus is the largest and the most abundant genus of Phoxichilidiidae, with 134 described species, most from shallowwaters. The genus is cosmopolitan and easily encountered in Brazil. The present work catalogues the species of Anoplodactylus foundin Brazilian waters and describes two new species for the coast of northeastern Brazil. The material analyzed here was deposited in theInvertebrate Collection Paulo Young, which comprises the specimens collected for several studies along the Brazilian coast. Unsampledspecies were recorded from the literature. We extend the known records of seven species (A. batangensis, A. californicus, A. eroticus, A.evelinae, A. insignis, A. monotrema, and A. stictus), and provide the first record of A. stictus for northeastern Brazil. Eighteen speciesof Anoplodactylus are now known from Brazil, including the two new species described herein, Anoplodactylus ricardoi sp. nov. andAnoplodactylus ganchiformis sp. nov. The first species has incomplete segmentation, elongate lateral processes, and many small setae onthe dorsal surface. The second species has the third article of the oviger with a small hook directed backwards. The genus needs revisionbecause traditional taxonomy has been unable to solve the taxonomical problems with this genus.