Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified two previously unknown species of sea spiders in the Salish Sea, the body of water separating Washington State from British Columbia. The discoveries represent the first new sea spider species documented in that geographic area in more than 100 years. Specimens were collected from waters near Vancouver and Quadra islands between September 2023 and August 2024, with individual organisms measuring approximately one centimeter across.
The two newly classified species belong to the marine arthropod class Pycnogonida, commonly referred to as sea spiders. One species, designated Callipallene pilosuspedes, displays distinctive red eyes and a triangular mouth structure. This species features specialized limbs extending from its body that allow it to maintain cleanliness by grooming away dirt and algae. The second species, Tanystylum kiixin, is named after an ancient Indigenous settlement near the discovery location. This species possesses shorter, more robust legs extending from its central body and lacks the self-cleaning appendages found in Callipallene pilosuspedes.
Sea spiders differ markedly from their terrestrial counterparts in multiple ways. Unlike land spiders, they are entirely aquatic and move slowly across the seafloor. Their reproductive behavior also diverges significantly, with males assuming full responsibility for egg care once females complete development. Rather than constructing webs for food capture, these marine creatures feed parasitically on hydroids, small marine organisms that resemble plants. They pierce the hydroid tissue and extract cellular material for sustenance.
These sea spiders lack venom and fangs, instead relying on camouflage for protection from predators. Many specimens, including the newly discovered species, are semi-transparent and adopt coloration from consumed organisms. Lead researcher Cormac Toler-Scott noted that discovering new species represents a significant achievement in the field, though such discoveries remain infrequent due to funding constraints and inherent uncertainties. The research team anticipates conducting additional diving expeditions to document further sea spider species in the region.
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