A new species of Liolaemus lizard has been discovered in the Peruvian Andes. The lizard, named Liolaemus warjantay was found at a 4,500 meter (14,700
A new species of Liolaemus lizard has been discovered in the Peruvian Andes. The lizard, named Liolaemus warjantay was found at a 4,500 meter (14,700 feet) altitude in the Cotahuasi Subbasin Landscape Reserve.
The reserve is a protected ecosystem in southwestern Peru’s Arequipa region. The reserve is 490,550 hectares (1,900 square miles) in size, according to the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State.
“A valuable contribution of Peru’s protected natural areas to the world is the recent discovery of a new species of lizard,” the researchers said in a statement.
The lizard is a dark gray in coloration with yellow claws. Females also have yellow eyelids.
The Liolaemus is a genus of iguanian lizards, all endemic to South America. Most of the lizards in the genus are omnivores, though there are several that are insectivorous and herbivorous. Currently there are more than 225 species in the genus.
