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...

New Theraphosinae from Ecuador: description of five species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae, Romopelma, and Homoeomma) with the establishment of a new genus

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New Theraphosinae from Ecuador: description of five species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae, Romopelma, and Homoeomma) with the establishment of a new genus

Abstract

A review of specimens from the subfamily Theraphosinae in Ecuador resulted in the identification of five new species across three genera; from the genus Romopelma Peñaherrera-R et al., 2024, Romopelma chirapa sp. nov. (♂♀); from the genus Homoeomma, Homoeomma josti sp. nov. (♂♀). The female of Romopelma barrigae Peñaherrera-R et al., 2024, the type species of the genus, is described for the first time. The proposed synonymy of Homoeomma strabo (Simon, 1892) from Colombia with H. familiare Bertkau, 1880, from Brazil, is rejected. Additionally, one new genus is established, and three species are described: Yunka gen. nov., Y. suenos sp. nov. (♂♀), Y. guasaganda sp. nov. (♂♀), and Y. baboso sp. nov. (♂♀). SEM images of palpal bulb, and urticating setae are presented, and morphological nomenclature of palpal bulb keels is updated.

Dupérré N, Tapia E, Salazar-Valenzuela D (2026) New Theraphosinae from Ecuador: description of five species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae, Romopelma, and Homoeomma) with the establishment of a new genus. Evolutionary Systematics 10(2): 217-261. https://doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.196576