Callipallene brevirostris (Johnston, 1837)

Müller, Hans-Georg & Krapp, Franz, 2009, The pycnogonid fauna (Pycnogonida, Arthropoda) of the Tayrona National Park and adjoining areas on the Caribbean coast of Colombia 2319, Zootaxa 2319 (1), pp. 1-138 : 67-69

Callipallene brevirostris (Johnston, 1837)

Figs. 34–35

Pallene brevirostris Johnston, 1838: 380 .

Callipallene brevirostris (Johnston, 1837) —Stock 1952: 5; (synonymies). Stock 1955: 589. Stock 1959: 127. Arnaud 1976: 70. Stock 1979: 14. Child 1982: 26. Stock 1986: 399–441. Arnaud 1987: 48. Stock 1987: 512.

Callipallene brevirostris brevirostris —Stock 1954: 115. Stock 1970: 9.

Callipallene brevirostrum —Stock 1975: 1010.

Material: 20. — 1 male (ov.) ( SMF 1490 ), on Sargassum cymosum , 5 l of substratum, 0–0.5 m, 7.VI.1985 . 1 juv. ( SMF 1491 ), on Sargassum cymosum , 5 l of substratum, 0–0.5m, 7.XII. 1985 . 3 males (1 ov.), 4 fem., 5 juv. ( SMF 1492 ), on Sargassum cymosum , 5 l of substratum, 0–0.5 m, 7.I.1986 . 1 male (ov.) ( ZMA 3368 ), on Sargassum cymosum , 5 l of substratum, 0–0.5 m, 12.II.1986 .

21.— 2 males (ov.), 2 juv. ( SMF 1493 ), on Digenia simplex , 5 l of substratum, mesolittoral, 27.VI.1985 . 2 fem., 3 juv. ( MNHN), 9.IX.1985 . 1 male, 3 fem., 3 juv. ( SMF 1494 ), on Digenia simplex , 5 l of substratum, mesolittoral, 2.X.1985 . 2 males (1ov.) ( SMF 1495 ), on Digenia simplex , 5 l of substratum, mesolittoral, 8.XI.1985 . 2 juv. ( SMF 1496 ), on Digenia simplex , 5 l of substratum, mesolittoral, 12.II.1986 .

Description of male: Dorsal trunk outline oval, all segments free. Crurigers separated by about half of their diameter, hardly longer than broad, without any setae. Ocular process short and cone-shaped, eyes big and feebly pigmented. Laterally, the origin of oviger touching cruriger 1 along almost entire length. Abdomen short and erect, barely longer than broad. Proboscis 1.2 times as long as broad, its distal half broadening, distally broadly rounded.

Cheliphores robust; scape 1.2 times as long as broad, with dorso-distal row of about 8 slender setae; chela robust and feebly curved, cutting edges with a row of small rounded teeth; both fingers with several slender setae. Oviger 10-articled, slender; 5 th article the longest, 4th article second longest; 5 th article latero-distally with a rounded apophysis, which is slightly longer than broad, with a distal seta; the 4 distal articles all of similar length, with a row of serrated spines according to the formula 8:7:7:8.

Legs relatively robust, all articles sparsely beset with slender setae, more dense dorsally on tibiae and propodus; coxae 1 and 3 of equal length, coxa 2 2.5 times as long as coxa 1; femur of subequal in length to tibia 2, 1st tibia slightly shorter; tarsus as long as broad, with some sparse setae and a ventral spine; propodus feebly or moderately curved, no heel; proximal third of sole with 5 robust spines, which are antero-distally feebly dentated; distal two thirds with 5 shorter spines and some longer setae; main claw robust, feebly curved, 1.3 times as long as the auxiliaries, which are slenderer more curved.

Remarks: Presumably this species is related to Callipallene longicoxa Stock, 1955 (see below).

The note by Stock (1979: 14): "This is a species that prefers protected sites (lagoons, etc.) in which soft substrates predominate" reflects the situation encountered in Colombia in part only. All specimens sampled were in the tidal zone down to 0.5 m depth on top of barely wave-exposed dead Porites reef on the eastern shore of Bahía Concha. No statements relating to its phenology are possible, because of the small number of specimens collected, but adults seem to be present all year round. The species was about equally represented in stands of both brown algae, viz. Digenia simplex and Sargassum cymosum which were quantitatively sampled.

Distribution: Callipallene brevirostris has been recorded in great numbers from the northern Atlantic, including the Caribbean. The first reliable record in the Mediterranean was published by Stock (1987: 513). The species was not known previously from Colombia.

Figures

FIGURE 34. Callipallene brevirostris (Johnston, 1837), male: A dorsal, B ocular process lateral, C proboscis ventral, D leg 3, E tarsus and propodus, leg 3, F another tarsus and propodus, leg 3.

FIGURE 35. Callipallene brevirostris (Johnston, 1837), male: A chela dorsal, B chela ventral, C oviger, D foliose spine enlarged.