New lizard species discovered in Peru
The new species was found at an altitude of more than 4,800m in the southern Andean region of Arequipa.
Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard in the Peruvian Andes, according to the Natural History Museum of San Marcos University. The Andean lizard, named Liolaemus archipensis, measures between six and eight centimeters in length. The lizard exhibits distinct coloration based on its sex; females display square-shaped spots on their backs, while males possess oblique spots and white scales that aid in camouflage within their rocky environment.
The diet of this new species consists of plants and small arthropods, including spiders, beetles, true bugs, and insect larvae. The lizard was discovered at an elevation of over 4,800 meters in the southern Andean region of Arequipa. The research was led by biologist Ling Huamani-Valderrama, who emphasized the importance of the discovery for Peru's biodiversity.
Peru currently hosts 296 species of lizard. The findings were published in the Swiss scientific journal Diversity.
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