In the depths of the ocean, lurks a peculiar creature – a sea spider with hairy legs and red eyes, sounding like a creature from a nightmare. Surprisingly, these creatures are not just figments of imagination but real inhabitants of our planet. Recently, researchers unveiled two new species of these sea spiders in the Salish Sea of southern British Columbia.
The discovery was made by Cormac Toller-Scott, a graduate student in zoology at the University of British Columbia. Toller-Scott emphasized the lack of research on marine invertebrates in the region, particularly sea spiders. Despite being related to terrestrial spiders, sea spiders evolved separately and remained in the oceans since ancient times.
During their exploration between September 2023 and August 2024, Toller-Scott and his team conducted dives up to 18 meters deep in various marine habitats across Quadra Island, Vancouver, Bamfield, and Victoria. By meticulously studying the physical characteristics and genetic data of the collected sea spiders, they identified two previously undocumented species living on a hydroid, a stationary underwater organism resembling a grounded jellyfish.
The new species were named Callipallene pilosuspedes, highlighting their hairy-legged appearance, and Tanystylum kiixin, named after a nearby Indigenous village site. This discovery follows a previous finding by UBC researchers led by biologist Shana Goffredi, who uncovered three sea spider species near methane seeps and hydrothermal vents capable of converting methane into vital nutrients.
Despite the significance of taxonomic research projects like this, Toller-Scott emphasized the lack of funding for such endeavors. He stressed the importance of taxonomy in building foundational knowledge to tackle broader scientific questions. With many undiscovered species awaiting identification, especially along the diverse West Coast of Canada, there is a vast frontier for exploration and understanding.
