Two New Sea Spider Species Found in Canada's Salish Sea

Researchers have discovered two new sea spider species in the Salish Sea off Canada's Pacific coast, the first such finds in nearly a century, revealing unique grooming behaviors and parasite-filled lifestyles. The species, Callipallene pilosuspedes and Tanystylum kiixin, were collected during dives up to 18 meters deep between September 2023 and August 2024. The study, led by University of British Columbia zoology student Cormac Toler-Scott, used DNA analysis and imaging to create the region's first comprehensive sea spider identification guide. Sea spiders are ancient marine arthropods related to land spiders that feed by sucking fluids from hosts. The hairy-legged C. pilosuspedes uses comb-like appendages for self-grooming, while T. kiixin, named after an Indigenous village site, carries parasites, highlighting undocumented biodiversity in the region.