Pycnogonida (Arthropoda) from coral reef environments along the Southwest Atlantic: new records and new species

Presently, 28 species of pycnogonids are known from the northeastern region of Brazil. This is the largest coastal section of Brazil, with an extent of 3400?km, but the least explored from a scientific point of view. Organic reefs follow the coastal line, becoming concentrated in the section known as the Reef Coast. This section has 17 pycnogonid species recorded. The aim of this paper is to increase our knowledge of the Pycnogonida occurring in northeastern Brazil. Specimens deposited in the Invertebrate Collection Paulo Young, at the Federal University of Para?ba, were examined. As a result, 21 species are identified (18 nominal species and three morphotypes). Eight of these are new records for northeastern Brazil, and one represents a new record for the South Atlantic. Two new species are described: Ammothella calva sp. nov., that has the body short and oval, the proboscis equal to length of body, oval and large, and lateral setae and the eighth, ninth and tenth articles with serrated setae; and Tanystylum parahybanum sp. nov., which has small tubercles on cuticle, eighth article with three long dorsal setae and eighth and ninth articles, with one serrated seta.