New lizard species discovered in Peru

Scientists have announced the discovery of a new lizard species in the Peruvian Andes, according to the Natural History Museum of San Marcos University. The specimen, named Liolaemus archipensis, measures 6 to 8 centimeters in length. The lizard's appearance varies by gender - females possess square-shaped spots on their backs, while males display oblique spots and white scales, enabling them to blend seamlessly with their rocky habitat.

The diet of this species primarily consists of plants and small arthropods like spiders, beetles, true bugs, and insect larvae. The new creature was found at an altitude surpassing 4,800 meters in the southern Andean region of Arequipa. The species was formally described by biologist Ling Huamani-Valderrama, who led the research.

Huamani-Valderrama emphasized the significance of this discovery for biodiversity in Peru. Peru currently boasts 296 lizard species. The findings have been published in the Swiss scientific journal Diversity.