Mongabay · Climate & nature

Giraldo Alayón García, Cuban arachnologist, dies at 87

Giraldo Alayón García, a Cuban scientist who dedicated his career to documenting and popularizing the study of spiders and scorpions in Cuba and the Caribbean, has died at the age of 87.

For decades, Alayón García was instrumental in advancing the understanding of Cuba's arachnid fauna. He spent nearly 40 years at the National Museum of Natural History of Cuba, where he significantly expanded its arachnid collection, making it one of the most important in the Caribbean.

He brought scientific research to a broader audience through his work on Radio Ariguanabo, discussing wildlife with the general public. His 1994 publication, a checklist of Cuba's spiders, became a key reference for researchers.

Throughout his career, Alayón García described approximately 95 species and genera, many of which are unique to Cuba. His contributions extended beyond Cuba, including directing the Arachnological Project of Yucatán in Mexico and leading an expedition to Navassa Island.

On Navassa Island, researchers identified new species, with one scorpion, Cazierius alayoni, being named in his honor.

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