Herpetological misinformation and sensationalism: media framing on biological and ecological aspects of the golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis)

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  Herpetological misinformation and sensationalism: media framing on biological and ecological aspects of the golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) Abstract The internet is currently one of the most important means of communication, which may include the circulation of misinformation. Snakes have always been a target of the sensationalist media, being pictured as scary and aggressive animals to be killed indiscriminately by humans. Such fear based on misinformation may compromise species conservation. Here, we address the spread of misinformation about Bothrops insularis and Queimada Grande Island in digital media, highlighting the negative impact on public perception and species conservation. The analysis of 230 online sources revealed that approximately 94% of them contained false information, many using sensationalist language, especially regarding the toxicity of the venom and the population density of the snake, as well as bringing contents that did not align with scientific d...

Annotated checklist of the spiders of Ascension Island with new faunistic records, including three newly recorded non-native species (Araneae: Araneomorphae)

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Annotated checklist of the spiders of Ascension Island with new faunistic records, including three newly recorded non-native species (Araneae: Araneomorphae)

Abstract
A checklist of the spiders of Ascension Island is given, with new faunistic records for one family, five genera, and three species-level taxa. For the latter, Oecobius marathaus Tikader, 1962 (Oecobiidae), and Scytodes velutina Heineken & Lowe, 1832 and S. univittata Simon, 1882 (both Scytodidae) are recorded. Seven genera recorded from the island by prior workers based on indeterminable immature material are expunged from the list due to lack of evidence. In total, 38 genera and 41 species, accommodated in 22 families, are recognised as valid taxa on Ascension. Of these, only 1 genus and 5 species are considered possibly or probably endemic, meaning 99.97% of genera and 87.81% of species are non-endemic. 

Sherwood, D., Sharp, A., Wilkins, V., & Ashmole, P. (2025). Annotated checklist of the spiders of Ascension Island with new faunistic records, including three newly recorded non-native species (Araneae: Araneomorphae). Acta Zoológica Lilloana, 437–474. https://doi.org/10.30550/j.azl/2179