Some Pycnogonida from the Eastern (Hasa) District of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Seven pycnogonid species are described from the Arabian (Persian) Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia in its Eastern (Hasa) District. Two new species, Ascorhynchus dietheus and Nymphon enteonum, are fully described, illustrated and compared with similar congeners. Distributions and remarks are given for all seven species. A key is given for the 22 species in one of four discrete groups of the genus Ascorhynchus, including the new species. This group has longitarsal distal leg segments and scapes of one segment only. A parasitic juvenile Ascorhynchus species is described and illustrated, but left unnamed for lack of a presumed adult specimen. It is compared with the few other known parasitic specimens in this genus.

Keywords:

• Pycnogonida
• Saudi Arabia
• Ascorhynchus
• Dietheus
• Nymphon
• Enteonum