New lizard species discovered in Peru

Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard in the high Andes of Peru, highlighting the remarkable biodiversity found in some of the country’s most extreme environments, the Natural History Museum of San Marcos University said Saturday.
The newly identified lizard, named Liolaemus archipensis, measures between six and eight centimetres (2.4–3.2 inches) in length and displays distinct physical characteristics depending on gender. Females have square-shaped spots across their backs, while males feature oblique markings and white scales that help them blend into the rocky landscapes where they live.
The species was discovered at an altitude of more than 4,800 metres (15,750 feet) in the southern Andean region of Arequipa, an environment characterised by harsh conditions and sparse vegetation. Despite living at such high elevations, the lizard has a varied diet, feeding on plants and small arthropods, including spiders, beetles, true bugs and insect larvae.
“The description of a new species represents a very important advance for biodiversity in our country,” biologist Ling Huamani-Valderrama, who led the research, said.
The discovery adds to Peru’s already rich reptile diversity. According to Huamani-Valderrama, the country is home to 296 species of lizard, many of which occupy highly specialised habitats across its varied landscapes, from coastal deserts to mountain ecosystems.
The identification of Liolaemus archipensis also underscores the importance of continued scientific exploration in remote areas of the Andes, where species adapted to extreme environments may remain undocumented. The findings were published in the Swiss scientific journal Diversity. — AFP