Sea Spider
Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Voyage to the Ridge 2022.
Download largest version (mp4, 58.7 MB)

This pycnogonid, or sea spider, was seen ambling along a seafloor covered with pillow lavas at a depth of 1,477 meters (4,846 feet) during Dive 09 of the second Voyage to the Ridge 2022 expedition. The presence of the two thin orange limb-like structures hanging below the sea spider indicate it is likely a male. These ovigerous legs are used for holding and carrying eggs.