A New Chapter for the International Tarantula Occurrence Database (ITOD)

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  A New Chapter for the International Tarantula Occurrence Database (ITOD) Community science has transformed our understanding of biodiversity, but one of its greatest strengths lies not simply in the accumulation of observations, but in the ability to analyze those observations systematically. Today, I am pleased to announce the next phase of the International Tarantula Occurrence Database (ITOD): a comprehensive, genus-by-genus statistical analysis of every recognized theraphosid genus represented within the project. Rather than viewing ITOD solely as a repository of photographs and locality records, this initiative aims to develop it into a global scientific dataset capable of supporting ecological, taxonomic, biogeographic, and conservation research. Over the coming months, each theraphosid genus will undergo a standardized assessment using a consistent analytical framework. For every genus, data will be compiled on observation numbers, species representation, geographic covera...

A new species of Neochelas Pett, Grismado & Ramírez, 2026 (Araneae: Trachelidae) from Chiapas, Mexico

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A new species of Neochelas Pett, Grismado & Ramírez, 2026 (Araneae: Trachelidae) from Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

A new species of the genus Neochelas Pett, Grismado & Ramírez, 2026 (Trachelidae) is described based on specimens of both sexes collected from Tacaná Volcano, Chiapas, Mexico. This species, N. marialuisae sp. nov., is tentatively assigned to the tranquillus species group, as it possesses at least one helicoid coil at the base of the embolus, a feature shared with other North American members of the group.

Se describe una nueva especie del género Neochelas Pett, Grismado & Ramírez, 2026 (Trachelidae) con base en ejemplares de ambos sexos recolectados en el Volcán Tacaná, Chiapas, México. Esta especie, N. marialuisae sp. nov., se asigna tentativamente al grupo de especies tranquillus, ya que posee una vuelta helicoidal en la base del émbolo, una característica compartida con otros miembros norteamericanos del grupo.

David Chamé-Vázquez, Eduardo Rafael Chamé-Vázquez "A new species of Neochelas Pett, Grismado & Ramírez, 2026 (Araneae: Trachelidae) from Chiapas, Mexico," The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 102(2), 96-103, (30 June 2026) https://doi.org/10.3956/2025-102.2.96