Description: This sea spider has a smooth body up to 3 mm, with 8 limbs that are around 3 times the length of the body. Body segments are wider than they are long. There are chelifores, with well-developed chelae and a prominent row of teeth, and palps present on this species. The palps have five segments, and the ultimate segment is shorter than the penultimate segment. The propodus (last section of leg) is slightly bent and has some spines along the inner margin, with three larger spines near the heel. The body is usually white or translucent, but occasionally has violet banding .

Habitat: Lower shore down to around 60 m. Usually found amongst hydroids.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: There are other Nymphon species found in Britain and Ireland which could be confused with Nymphon brevirostre. Careful inspection of palps and body segments required. Five segmented palps identifies to genus Nymphon, relative length of the segments distinguishes some of the various species, as well as body segment size and spines on propodus.

Key Identification Features:

• White or translucent body, occasionally with violent banding.
• Body segments wider than they are long.
• 8 elongate legs (3-4 times the length of the body).
• Palps have five segments; the last segment is shorter than the penultimate segment.
• Propodus has numerous spines on the inner margin with three larger spines around the heel.

Distribution Map from NBN: Nymphon brevirostre at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Nymphon brevirostre at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Nymphon brevirostre

WoRMS: Nymphon brevirostre at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Nymphon brevirostre Hodge, 1863. AphiaID: 150520.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Chelicerata; Pycnogonida; Pantopoda; Eupantopodida; Nymphonoidea; Nymphonidae; Nymphon