About This Project
Tarantulas in the Andes are far more diverse than we realise, yet almost nothing is known about how they evolved here. This project explores the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone between Ecuador and Peru, a key region where ancient landscapes shaped unique species. Through fieldwork, DNA, and morphology, we will reveal how these tarantulas originated, dispersed, and diversified in one of Earth’s most complex ecosystems.
We aim to test ancient Andean and pre-Andean dispersal routes in tarantulas.Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Tarantulas are iconic, yet in South America, especially in the Andes, we still know surprisingly little about their true diversity and evolutionary history. The Amotape–Huancabamba Zone on the Ecuador–Peru border is a natural laboratory for evolution; its unusual dry valleys and mid-elevation cordilleras run east–west rather than north–south, forming ancient pathways, mountain bridges, and barriers that have shaped species over millions of years. Around 50 million years ago, this region formed the Western Andean Portal, a corridor linking Pacific, Andes, and Amazon, later uplifting and isolating species while driving new lineages to evolve. Early fieldwork has already uncovered more than 30 new species and six new generafrom only a few sites, revealing remarkable hidden diversity. This project will unite field surveys, DNA data, and morphology to understand how these tarantulas evolved, dispersed, and diversified in one of Earth's most complex and biodiverse landscapes.
What is the significance of this project?
Understanding how species form in biodiversity hotspots is essential for conserving them, yet we still lack basic knowledge about many Andean arthropods, including tarantulas. These spiders play key roles in ecosystems and are popular worldwide, but their evolutionary history remains largely unknown. The Amotape–Huancabamba Zone is one of the most unique regions on Earth, where dramatic geological events created a cradle for new species. By integrating fieldwork, genetics, and morphology, this project will reveal how tarantulas diversified and moved across mountains and valleys over millions of years. Results will clarify species boundaries, guide conservation priorities, and build a foundation for future local research in a poorly studied region. Beyond science, this work will raise awareness of hidden Andean biodiversity and empower local collaboration by helping protect species before they disappear.
What are the goals of the project?
The objectives of this project are the following:
The first goal of this project is to document and describe the diversity of tarantulas inhabiting the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone between southern Ecuador and northern Peru.
The second goal is to identify the speciation and dispersal patterns, shaped by the region’s complex climatic, ecological, and geomorphological history, that drive present-day endemism.
The third goal is to integrate phylogenetic, biogeographic, and morphological data to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and to test homology hypotheses of male sexual structures relevant to modern tarantula taxonomy.
Budget
DNA kits will be used to extract, purify, and prepare samples for molecular studies, helping ensure high-quality genetic data of our tarantulas. Your contribution will help us buy a DNA kit in Ecuador.
PCR reagents will allow me to amplify DNA fragments from samples, which is essential for identifying species and reconstructing their evolutionary history of these tarantulas. We will use two mitochondrial genes (COI & 16S-ND1) and two nuclear genes (18S & 28S).
Expedition expenses will support fieldwork in remote Andean areas, including travel, supplies, and local logistic costs needed to collect specimens and document habitats. In most cases, these expeditions will last more than three weeks each, as we will visit multiple localities and therefore need to cover transportation between them, as well as food for these lengthy visits.
We have added an approximate value of Experiment.com fees that cover platform and payment processing costs, so the project can be hosted and funded.
Endorsed by
Project Timeline
At the beginning of 2026, we will begin the field phase, which will be crucial for the entire project. We estimate that by September, we will have obtained a significant sample size from both countries, ensuring fresh tissue for the molecular study. Between this period and December 2026, preliminary delimitations of species and genera will be made based on tarantula morphology, which will later be compared with our molecular analyses, thus employing an integrative approach.
Dec 12, 2025
Project Launched
Sep 30, 2026
Finalisation of expeditions in the study area Amotape-Huancabamba, both countries
Oct 31, 2026
DNA extraction and sequencing for determining tarantula evolutionary relationships
Dec 31, 2026
Discovery of new tarantula lineages and biogeographic insights
Feb 28, 2027
Final results and manuscript submission to a high-impact journal
Meet the Team
Affiliates
Affiliates
Pedro Peñaherrera-R.
I am an Ecuadorian biologist and arachnologist specialising in the taxonomy and systematics of Neotropical spiders, with a particular focus on mygalomorphs (tarantulas and their relatives) and other understudied groups across the Northern Andes and Amazon. My research combines fieldwork in some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth with integrative analyses from museum and fresh specimens, leading to the discovery and description of new species and the clarification of poorly understood genera. I have contributed to the knowledge of several spider lineages, helping build essential taxonomic foundations for biodiversity conservation, evolution, and biogeography in South America. Through my work, I aim to highlight the extraordinary but often overlooked spider fauna of Ecuador and neighbouring regions, make taxonomic knowledge accessible, and strengthen local capacity in arachnology and biodiversity research.
I earned my BSc in Biology at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in 2024 and am now pursuing an MSc in Biological Sciences at Universidad de la República, supervised by Fernando Pérez-Miles and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia.
Fernando Pérez Miles
Fernando is a Uruguayan arachnologist and professor at the Universidad de la República, widely recognized as one of Latin America’s leading experts on tarantulas and other mygalomorph spiders. His research has helped clarify the taxonomy, evolution, and biogeography of Neotropical tarantulas, and he has described numerous newspecies, genera, and families throughout his career. Fernando combines traditional taxonomy with insights into behavior, reproductive biology, and functional morphology, making his work influential across multiple fields of spider biology. He is also editor of New World Tarantulas, the first comprehensive book on the biology and diversity of these spiders. Through decades of research, teaching, and mentorship, Fernando has played a key role in shaping modern arachnology in the Neotropics.
Lab Notes
Nothing posted yet.
Additional Information
This project builds on years of field experience in the Ecuadorian Andes and early discoveries that already revealed dozens of new tarantula species.
We are partnering with local researchers and institutions to ensure the work supports regional science, training, and conservation. We aim to share our discoveries using Experiment.com lab notes.
Beyond taxonomy, this work highlights a little-known hotspot where climate change and habitat loss threaten spider species that have never been documented. By supporting this project, you can help uncover and protect unique evolutionary history before it disappears, while expanding knowledge in one of the most remarkable and understudied regions on the planet.
Project Backers
- 1Backers
- 3%Funded
- $100Total Donations
- $100.00Average Donation
