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

2026/07/02 by Nadine Dupérré, Elicio Tapia, David Salazar‐Valenzuela · 2 voices
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy #Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy #Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies

paper · doi:10.3897/evolsyst.10.196576

openalex publication_date 2026/07/02 · openalex created_date 2026/07/03 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/03

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.

Discussions

• 🕷️ Five new species of tarantula have been discovered in Ecuador, including a new genus named Yunka, and the previously unknown female of Romopelma barrigae has been described for the first time: doi [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
• Documenting species diversity is the first step toward understanding and conserving it. Taxonomy provides the foundation for biodiversity research and conservation. → doi.org/10.3897/evol... 2/3 [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]

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