Two New Sea Spider Species Found in Salish Sea
Researchers have identified two new species of sea spiders in the Salish Sea. The species are described as having hairy legs and red eyes, marking the first such discoveries in nearly a century.
University of British Columbia researchers have discovered two new species of sea spiders in the Salish Sea. The newly identified species, characterized by hairy legs and red eyes, represent the first sea spider discoveries in the region in nearly 100 years.
The species, described in the journal Organisms Diversity & Evolution, are Callipallene pilosuspedes and Tanystylum kiixin. Sea spiders feed by sucking fluids from prey using a proboscis. Their diet includes organisms such as jellyfish and hydroids.
Callipallene pilosuspedes, named for its "hairy feet," possesses red eyes and claws for grasping food. Its mouth is described as having three lips and being covered in sensory tendrils. Tanystylum kiixin, named after an ancient Indigenous village site near where specimens were collected, features "egg-carrying limbs" and was frequently found covered in small parasites.
These discoveries are significant for broader marine life research, as scientists aim to understand the impacts of climate change and other disturbances on marine ecosystems. Identifying new species is crucial for building a comprehensive picture of biodiversity and how it responds to environmental shifts. Researchers anticipate that more undiscovered species await documentation in the Salish Sea.