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Some Pycnogonida from Cook Strait, New Zealand, with descriptions of two new species

Nymphon longicoxa Hoek

Nymphon longicoxa Hoek.

Nymphon longicoxa Hoek, 1881, p. 38, Pl. II, Figs. 1–5; Pl. XV. Figs. 8–9 Hodgson. 1908, p. 165, Pl. I, Figs. 3, 3a. Bouvier, 1913, p. 72 (in key). Loman, 1923, p. 14 (in key). Gordon, 1932a, p. 106, Figs. 7, 8 (redescription and designation of types). Gordon, 1932b, pp. 28, 32, 34. Fage, 1956a, p. 164. Fage, 1956b, p. 168.

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Material: Collection No. VUZ. 58; Stn. FOOR. South of Cape Palliser. 42° 7ʹ S; 174° 57ʹ E; 31/3/56; time, 0710–1035 hrs; bottom depth 1,300 fathoms; grey mud; long line and baited trap. 1 damaged specimen.

Although the only specimen of this species in the collection lacks seven legs and the distal joints of the third left leg there is no doubt as to its identity. The specimen agrees with Gordon's (1932a) redescription of the type, except that there are 43 denticulate spines on the oviger instead of 38, but Gordon notes that there may be up to 44. The prominently reflexed tip of the dactylus, the length of the second coxa, and the presence of eyes distinguish this species from otherwise similar forms.

Distribution: This species has been recorded only twice before; by Hoek (1881), from 40° 28ʹ S; 177° 43ʹ E. (South-East of Napier, N.Z.) in 1,100 fathoms, and by Hodgson (1908), from 71° 22ʹ S: 16° 34ʹ W (near the coast of Princess Astrid Land, Antarctica) in 1,410 fathoms. It seems then that this is truly a deep water species. The present specimen comes from a depth intermediate between those known previously.