We dedicate this work to Mike Tamessar, senior scientific officer (retired) of the Department of Biology, University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus. Throughout his life, Mike has had a broad and passionate interest in the natural history of his homeland, with specialization in invertebrates (e.g., scorpions, spiders) and vertebrates, especially fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. Working against incredible difficulties in the second half of the twentieth century in Guyana (e.g., lack of resources and opportunities, political uncertainties, administrations that did not value many biological resources), Mike pursued his passion, collecting and studying through personal field work, and inspiring similar pursuits by others. Through these efforts, Mike developed an incredible knowledge of the natural history of Guyana—probably the broadest knowledge of anyone in history. In addition, with vision, he prepared the nucleus of the Guyanese scientific collections in the Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity at UG, and he welcomed visiting...
