Pantopoda [Pantopoda]

Description

Pantopoda, commonly known as sea spiders, encompasses the entirety of the class Pycnogonida. These marine arthropods are characterized by their extremely long legs in proportion to their body size, which is quite small and can be nearly invisible from above. Sea spiders are not true spiders but have some similarities in appearance. They inhabit a variety of marine environments from shallow waters to deep seas. Pantopoda species are known for their unique feeding habits, using a proboscis to suck nutrients from soft-bodied invertebrates, and some exhibit unusual reproductive behaviors, such as males carrying eggs until they hatch.

Families

Taxonomy