Two new species of weaver spiders were discovered in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon, in a joint expedition between the National Institute of Biodiversity (Inabio) and the Hamburg Natural History Museum, as announced by the Ecuadorian institution.
The findings reinforce Ecuador’s positioning as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
New unidentified spider species and scientific tributes
The species were named:
- Spinepeira erwini, the second species described in the South American genus Spinepeira, named in honor of the American entomologist Terry Erwin
- Scoloderus neilli, the sixth in the neotropical genus Scoloderus, named after the botanist David Alan Neill
Spinepeira erwini is distinguished by:
- Abdomen with anterior tubercle longer than the cephalothorax
- Dorsal projections and elongated posterior tubercles
- Large reproductive organs (spermathecae)
Scoloderus neilli features:
- Small size
- Rectangular webs
- Helmet-shaped head
- Brown abdomen with yellowish tones
Innovative methods and additional records
During the research, specimens of Pozonia spiders were also found, reported for the first time in Ecuador.
These individuals were detected using the canopy fogging method, a technique developed by Terry Erwin, which allows access to invertebrate species in the upper layer of the jungle.
Ecuador: a biogeographical melting pot and an endless source of species
According to data from Inabio, Ecuador hosts:
91 types of ecosystems
- 65 forested
- 14 herbaceous
- 12 shrubby
Its biological richness is explained by its strategic location, at the confluence of the Andes mountain range, the Amazon, and the influence of ocean currents in the Pacific. This combination creates unique conditions for the evolution of endemic and little-known species.
“These discoveries not only expand the scientific knowledge about Neotropical arachnids but also highlight the key role of Ecuadorian territory in the study of planetary biodiversity,” stated Inabio.
Cover photo: Inabio
