Two new sea spiders found in the Salish Sea—and one has hairy legs
sea spider
A marine arthropod that looks like a spider but is not a true spider.
proboscis
A narrow mouthpart used to take fluids from food or a host.
DNA
Biological information that helps researchers compare living things.
What happened
Researchers led by the University of British Columbia described two new sea spider species from the Salish Sea. They are the first sea spider species formally described from this region in almost a century. The research paper appeared on August 26, 2026.
The team collected specimens during dives from September 2023 through August 2024. The dives reached depths of 18 meters. Collection sites included Quadra Island, Vancouver, Bamfield, and Victoria.
Background: two very different animals
The first species is Callipallene pilosuspedes. It has red eyes and long, curved spines on its lower legs. Its short proboscis has claws for grasping food. Its mouth has three lips and many sensory tendrils. Its egg-carrying limbs can also work like combs. Researchers saw them cleaning the animal’s legs. Only one specimen of this species was found.
The second species is Tanystylum kiixin. It is closely associated with a marine animal called a hydroid. Its name honors an Indigenous village site near the first collection area. The name is pronounced kee-hin. It comes from the sound of waves striking the site. This species has smaller egg-carrying limbs. They are less useful for cleaning. Researchers often found tiny parasitic organisms among dirt and debris on its body.
Sea spiders are not true spiders. They are marine arthropods. They are related to groups that include spiders, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs. Many shallow-water sea spiders are small. Some live on larger animals and use a proboscis to suck fluids. Sea spiders breathe through their skin. Males carry egg clusters on special limbs.
Why the discovery matters
Scientists had limited information about sea spider diversity in the Salish Sea. That gap makes environmental monitoring harder. Researchers need to know which species live in an area before measuring change there.
The study combines detailed body observations with DNA evidence. It examined seven coastal species. The authors redescribed five known species and described the two new ones. They also produced genetic data for several species that had never been sequenced before. An identification key now helps researchers distinguish sea spiders from the region.
What the evidence confirms
The evidence supports two formal species descriptions. It includes specimens, detailed images, DNA data, collection locations, and comparisons with other regional species. The new species have also been registered in a global database. This is stronger than simply noticing unusual-looking animals during a dive.
What remains unknown
The discovery does not show how many individuals live in the region. It does not show how widely either species is distributed. It also cannot yet measure effects from warming water or human disturbance. The first species is especially uncertain because researchers found only one specimen. The study covered one field season, so more diversity may remain undocumented.
What to watch next
Future surveys could cover more seasons, depths, and habitats. Researchers could also collect more DNA samples. Long-term monitoring may reveal whether the species change in number or location. The relationships between the sea spiders, their hosts, and their tiny parasites may provide another important clue.
Sources: UBC News and the research paper.
Two new sea spiders were found in the Salish Sea
📰 Full story: Two new sea spiders found in the Salish Sea—and one has hairy legs
Scientists described two tiny sea animals that had not been known from this region before.
new species
A kind of living thing not previously described by science.
DNA
Information passed through living bodies that can help identify species.
💡 The gist
- Two new sea spider species were described in the Salish Sea.
- One has red eyes and spiny, hairy-looking legs.
- The discovery improves knowledge of coastal marine life.
What was found
The University of British Columbia, or UBC, led the study. The team named the first species Callipallene pilosuspedes. It has red eyes and long spines on its lower legs. Its mouth has three lips. Its leg-like egg carriers can clean its body.
Researchers named the second species Tanystylum kiixin. Its name honors an Indigenous village site. This species has smaller egg-carrying limbs. Tiny parasitic organisms were found among dirt on its body.
Sea spiders are not true spiders. They are marine arthropods. They live in the ocean. Some shallow-water species use a proboscis to take fluids from larger animals. Male sea spiders carry eggs on special limbs.
How did scientists know?
Researchers collected specimens during dives. The dives happened between September 2023 and August 2024. They reached 18 meters underwater. The sites included Vancouver, Victoria, Bamfield, and Quadra Island.
The team studied body shapes with powerful microscopes. They also compared DNA, which carries inherited information. These two kinds of evidence helped separate similar species.
The study examined seven regional species. Five were studied again. Two were described as new species. Researchers also created an identification guide.
Why does it matter?
Scientists need a species list before tracking environmental change. The new information can support future research about warming water and human activity.
Much remains unknown. Researchers found only one specimen of Callipallene pilosuspedes. They do not yet know its population size or full range. More dives and DNA samples may reveal more sea spider diversity.
Two new sea spiders have names
📰 Full story: Two new sea spiders found in the Salish Sea—and one has hairy legs
Scientists found two new kinds of sea spiders in the Salish Sea.
sea spider
A small sea animal that looks like a spider.
new species
A kind of animal that scientists had not named before.
The Salish Sea is a sea beside Canada. The University of British Columbia is a school that studies nature.
People there found two new sea spiders. A new species is a kind never named before.
Callipallene pilosuspedes is the first new sea spider’s name. It has red eyes and hairy-looking legs.
Tanystylum kiixin is the second new sea spider’s name. It carries eggs on special legs.
Sea spiders are not true spiders. They live in the sea.
Researchers used strong microscopes. They checked the animals’ body clues. They also checked DNA information.
This helped them tell the two kinds apart. Only one first species was found. Scientists must keep looking.