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.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Fast Fact
This species is named after the collector of many Australian pycnogonids, Captain K. Moller.
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Maximum Size
4 cm
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Habitats
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shallow (1-30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
Clark, 1963
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Common Name
Pycnogonid
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Other Names
Sea spider
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
molleri