General Description

Body with proboscis projecting outward from front, with the mouth at the tip. Central body (trunk) behind the proboscis, with a raised, rounded area (tubercle) bearing four eyes. Eight segmented walking legs attached to the sides of the trunk. Short abdomen behind trunk, unsegmented. Leg span about 4 cm.

Biology

These well-camouflaged sea spiders are typically found on top of sponges with their legs spread apart. They have crimson red egg masses, but other colours may occur like they do in other species. They feed on small polychaete worms. Males carry the eggs, holding them between body parts called ovigers that hang under the animal.

Distribution

South-eastern Australia, including central Victoria.

Habitat

Usually on sponges, also associated with hydroids, bryozoans and seaweed, to depth of 29 m.

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