D3526: Hispanoptera: a Caribbean entomology study center in the Dominican Republic

Hispanoptera is a non-profit entomological project based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic that aims to create a center for the study, preservation, and conservation of the insect fauna of the Hispaniola island (Dominican Republic and Haiti). The formal project idea arose in 2019 and is currently nearing completion. It has short-, medium-, and long-term goals, including creating an entomological collection open to entomologists interested in studying the Hispaniola entomofauna. This collection will strive to represent poorly studied taxonomic groups and areas of conservation importance, such as the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere and Haiti's protected areas. In the long term, the project aims to expand its focus to the wider West Indies region. Currently, we have future and ongoing collaborations with renowned entomologists like Michael Ivie and Ruth Bastardo, including the description of several Tenebrionidae and Chrysomelidae species, a revision of the Microvelia: Veliidae in the West Indies; and a revision of the Progomphus: Gomphidae in Hispaniola. Through this project, we intend to contribute to the knowledge of Dominican entomology by collaborating with national and international institutions.