# Biodiversity and species discoveries in South America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/biodiversity-and-species-discoveries-in-south-america > Updated: 2026-08-16T22:13:24.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Scientific research in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia has led to several biodiversity discoveries. In Bolivia’s Alto Beni region, researchers identified over 4,000 previously undocumented insect specimens associated with organic cacao farms, classifying them by ecological roles such as pollinators and decomposers. In Ecuador’s Chocó Andino region, specifically the Mashpi-Tayra Reserve, scientists identified a new plant species, Xanthosoma quitensis, and a new crab spider species, Sidymella ayahuma. Concurrently, the Proyecto Puma has used GPS collars to monitor pumas, revealing large habitat usage essential for ecological corridor planning. In Colombia, researchers from the University of Cartagena identified 11 new species of Neotropical arthropods within the genus Venezillo, or woodlice, which play a role in soil health and organic matter decomposition. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Biodiversity discoveries in Ecuador and Colombia reveal new species New scientific discoveries in Ecuador and Colombia have identified multiple new species, including plants, spiders, and woodlice, highlighting the critical biodiversity of the Chocó Andino and Neotropical zones 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/biodiversity-discoveries-in-ecuador-and-colombia-reveal-new-species ### 2026-07-29: New Insect Species Discovered in Bolivia's Cocoa; Colombia Advances Processing Bolivia's new cocoa‑insect discovery boosts agro‑ecology, while Colombian Huila farmers move toward processing cacao into liquor and other products to increase income. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-insect-species-discovered-in-bolivias-cocoa-colombia-advances-processing --- Cite as: Biodiversity and species discoveries in South America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/biodiversity-and-species-discoveries-in-south-america