Two new sea spiders discovered

Researchers at the University of British Columbia found two new sea spider species in shallow waters of the Salish Sea between Washington State and British Columbia.

First in over a century

These are the first sea spiders found in the Salish Sea in more than one hundred years. The specimens were collected between September two thousand twenty-three and August two thousand twenty-four.

Meet Callipallene pilosuspedes

One species has red eyes, a three-lipped triangular mouth, and curved spines covering its legs. It has limbs called ovigers that groom itself and comb off dirt and algae.

“They're very clean and not all sea spiders can do this.”

Meet Tanystylum kiixin

The other species, named after an ancient Indigenous village near where it was found, has shorter stockier legs from its chest that cannot clean itself. It was covered in dirt and debris.

How they live and feed

Sea spiders feed on hydroids, marine animals that look like plants. They poke holes into hydroids and suck out the juices and cells. Males care for eggs until they hatch, unlike land spiders.

“They just kind of poke a hole into the hydroid itself, and then they suck the juices out of it, like the cells out of the hydroid.”

Survival through camouflage

Sea spiders lack venom and fangs. The newly discovered species rely on camouflage to avoid predators. Many are transparent and take on the color of whatever they have eaten.

More discoveries expected

Lead researcher Cormac Toler-Scott said finding new species is uncommon and difficult to fund. The British Columbia team plans additional dives expecting to discover more sea spider species.

“It's everyone's kind of dream to find new species, but it's pretty uncommon.”