Squeamish Salish swimmers, take note. Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have discovered two new species of sea spiders off the coast of British Columbia, potentially alarming news for those who frequent the waters of the Salish Sea.
According to a recent news release from UBC, these newly identified arachnids could make swimming at night quite a fright. The lead researcher, zoologist Cormac Toler-Scott, noted that the new species were the first to be documented in the Salish Sea in nearly a century. The tiny marine arthropods were collected from various locations, including Vancouver, Quadra Island, Bamfield, and Victoria, between September 2023 and August 2024.
One of the newly discovered species is named Callipallene pilosuspedes. The term "pilosuspedes" is derived from Latin, meaning “hairy feet,” which aptly describes the creature's defining characteristic: long, curved spines adorning its lower legs. UBC elaborates that this species features striking red eyes, a short proboscis equipped with claws for grasping food, and a unique, triangular three-lipped mouth teeming with sensory tendrils, reminiscent of a "tiny marine Sarlacc pit." The anatomy of Callipallene pilosuspedes also includes specialized appendages for self-grooming.
The second species identified is Tanystylum kiixin, pronounced "kee-hin." This name pays homage to an ancient Indigenous village located near its discovery site. Unlike its counterpart, Tanystylum kiixin features smaller limbs and is less capable of self-grooming, often making it appear covered in debris and tiny parasites. Toler-Scott describes this situation as creating "an ecosystem within an ecosystem within an ecosystem," demonstrating the complex interactions of marine life at play.
Sea spiders, which evolved approximately 500 million years ago, are related to scorpions, spiders, and horseshoe crabs. They can possess up to 12 legs and exhibit significant size variations, ranging from less than a centimeter to more than 70 centimeters. Toler-Scott explained that many shallow water species tend to be smaller and may lead a parasitic lifestyle, utilizing their unusual proboscis to extract nutrients from their hosts.
Both new species have been officially registered in a global database. Toler-Scott expressed optimism regarding potential further discoveries, stating that despite having only completed one field season, there remains more undiscovered diversity waiting to be documented in the Salish Sea.
