protonymphons
Protonymphons are the earliest free-living larval stage of sea spiders (Pycnogonida), a diverse group of marine arthropods. They hatch from eggs laid by females and typically begin life as planktonic larvae, dispersing with ocean currents before developing into juvenile or adult sea spiders. The name protonymphon derives from proto- (first) and nymphon (nymph), reflecting its status as the initial larval form in many pycnogonid species.
In the protonymphon stage, the larvae are relatively small and morphologically simple compared with adults. They
Ecology and distribution: Protonymphons have been observed in a wide range of marine environments where pycnogonids
Significance: The protonymphon stage is a defining feature of pycnogonid development and is of interest to