Two new species of sea spiders have been discovered in the Salish Sea, a network of coastal waterways spanning the Pacific coast of British Columbia and Washington State. The findings, published in the journal Organisms Diversity & Evolution, mark the first description of sea spiders in the region in nearly a century. The research was conducted by a team from the University of British Columbia, led by Cormac Toler-Scott, who was working on his master's degree in zoology. Between September 2023 and August 2024, the team collected specimens from various marine environments, including Quadra Island, Vancouver, Bamfield, and Victoria. The first newly identified species, Callipallene pilosuspedes, was named for its long, curved spines that cover its lower legs. The name is derived from Latin, meaning "hairy feet." This sea spider has red eyes, a short feeding tube called a proboscis equipped with claws, and a triangular mouth with three lips covered in sensory tendrils. It also has highly dexterous ovigers—specialized limbs used for carrying eggs—which can also serve as grooming tools. Under a microscope, researchers observed the creature using comb-like spines to clean itself. Only a single specimen of this species was found during the study. The second species, Tanystylum kiixin, was named after an ancient Indigenous village site near where the first specimens were collected. The name, pronounced "kee-hin," reflects the sound of waves crashing at the base of the village. This sea spider has smaller and less dexterous egg-carrying limbs, which make it less capable of grooming itself. As a result, the researchers frequently found tiny parasites attached to the creature. Toler-Scott described this as "an ecosystem within an ecosystem within an ecosystem," highlighting the complex interactions even at this microscopic level. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of sea spiders in the Salish Sea, utilizing detailed imaging and DNA sequencing techniques. The researchers generated genetic data for several species that had never been sequenced before and created an identification guide for sea spiders in the region. The two new species have been added to a global database, but Toler-Scott believes there is still much more diversity to be discovered in this marine environment.