Key Takeaways
- UBC researchers identified two new sea spider species in the Salish Sea.
- The species were collected during dives between September 2023 and August 2024.
- The study combined detailed imaging and DNA analysis to examine sea spider diversity.
Two New Species Identified
The newly described species are named Callipallene pilosuspedes and Tanystylum kiixin.
The research was led by Cormac Toler-Scott as part of his master's degree in zoology at UBC.
Where the Sea Spiders Were Found
Researchers collected specimens between September 2023 and August 2024 during dives reaching depths of up to 18 metres.
The collection sites included Quadra Island, Vancouver, Bamfield and Victoria, covering a range of marine habitats in the Salish Sea region.
The findings show that marine invertebrate diversity in the area remains incompletely documented.
Meet Callipallene pilosuspedes
One of the newly identified species was named Callipallene pilosuspedes, referring to the long, curved spines on its lower legs.
The species has red eyes, a short proboscis with claws to grasp food before biting, and a distinctive three-lipped mouth covered with sensory tendrils.
Researchers also observed that its ovigers, specialized appendages used by sea spiders for carrying eggs, can function as grooming tools.
Only one specimen of this species was found during the research.
Tanystylum kiixin and Its Unusual Parasites
The second new species, Tanystylum kiixin, was named after an ancient Indigenous village site near where specimens were initially collected.
Researchers found that the species has smaller egg-carrying limbs and appears less capable of grooming itself.
The specimens were also found carrying tiny parasites of their own. This led researchers to describe the relationship as an ecosystem within an ecosystem.
How the Researchers Studied the Species
The study represents the first comprehensive scientific examination of sea spiders in the Salish Sea using both detailed imaging and DNA analysis.
Researchers generated genetic data for several sea spider species that had not previously been sequenced.
The team also created an identification guide for sea spiders found in the region, providing a resource for future biodiversity research.
Why the Discovery Matters
Marine invertebrates can be difficult to study and identify, particularly when relatively little information is available about the species living in a specific ecosystem.
The researchers said that identifying the species present in the Salish Sea is an important step toward understanding how marine invertebrates may be affected by environmental pressures such as climate change and human disturbance.
The study also suggests that additional sea spider diversity may remain undocumented in the region.
More Species Could Still Be Found
The researchers have registered the two newly described species in a global database.
However, the study's lead researcher said there is likely to be more diversity in the region that has not yet been documented.
The discovery therefore adds two species to the known biodiversity of the Salish Sea while also highlighting the need for further research into its marine invertebrate communities.
The research was funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.