Alexander Griffin Bentley

Herein, we describe a new species of the rare spider genus Taczanowskia Keyserling, 1879 (Araneae: Araneidae), Taczanowskia waska sp. nov. (♀) from the Ecuadorian Amazon. Additionally, we discuss its unique fungal mimicry, comment on Taczanowskia ecology, and provide an updated taxonomic key for females of the genus. The importance of this discovery extends well beyond the description of a novel taxon, representing the first reported case of Arachnid mimicry of an araneopathogenic fungus. Finally, we discuss the application of citizen science to collecting ecological and biogeographical data on arachnids and its potential use for describing new taxa.

Mera County is located in the eastern lowlands of the Llanganates–Sangay Connectivity Corridor (CELS) and is considered a priority conservation area due to the high degree of endemism and existing biological diversity. In the present study, we analyzed snake records from three databases as well as preserved specimens from two local informal collections, four formal collections, and five international collection databases with the participation of numerous students and citizen scientists. Collectively, we examined 85 years’ worth of material—666 individual records, representing seven families, 31 genera, and 66 species. We report seven species previously unrecorded in the study area and 14 new size and elevation records. Our results place this small county among the most snake‑diverse areas in the world. Our citizen‑science approach highlights the value of collaborative work and regional initiatives to involve local people and organizations (private, government, and universities) in scientific efforts.

The amerophidian snake radiation is a Late Cretaceous superfamily that encompasses two families: Aniliidae, pipe snakes, and Tropidophiidae, dwarf boas. We describe a new dwarf boa snake species, from the Tropidophiidae family, from the cloud forest in northeastern Ecuador. Tropidophis cacuangoae sp. nov. can be diagnosed from its congeners based on external and osteological morphology. The new species inhabits eastern tropical piedmont and lower evergreen montane forests, in the Amazon Tropical Rainforest biome, and is likely to be an Ecuadorian endemic. We also discuss the relationships of the new species with South American tropidophiids and provide a key to the identification of mainland South American dwarf boas.