13. Taxon Group: Pycnogonida

This is part of the collection "DToL Taxon-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Marine Metazoa", lead by the Other Metazoa Working Group. The SOP collection contains guidance on how to process the various marine Metazoa species within the scope of the Darwin Tree of Life project. The guidance specifically refers to the tissue samples needed for DNA barcoding (which takes place at the Natural History Museum (NHM) and at the Marine Biological Association (MBA)) and outlines the dissected tissues required for whole genome sequencing, which takes place at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Every specimen is submitted for DNA barcoding first before potentially being sent to the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Definition: Pycnogonids, also know as "sea spiders" are marine arthropods of the order Pantopoda. They are found in oceans around the world, with over 1,300 known species. Leg lengths range from 1 mm to over 70 cm. Most are toward the smaller end of this range in relatively shallow depths; however, they can grow to be quite large in Antarctic and deep waters.

Including: Specimens over 5mm.

Excluding: Specimens under 5mm.

Photo guide available for identifiable specimens under 5mm.

See the Guidelines for important details and checklists.

Acknowedgements

Thank you to Jan Beccaloni at the Natural History Museum for reviewing this SOP.