A New Lizard Was Hiding at 4,818 Metres in Peru
Liolaemus arequipensis
The scientific name of the newly described lizard from Arequipa, Peru.
cryptic species
A separate species that looks very similar to other species.
Data Deficient
A label used when scientists lack enough information to judge danger.
What happened
Scientists have formally described Liolaemus arequipensis, a new lizard from southern Peru. It occurs in Arequipa, in the Castilla and Condesuyos provinces. Records place it between 3,774 and 4,818 metres above sea level. The study appeared in Diversity on September 23, 2026.
Why it was missed
The lizard was not hidden because nobody saw it. Earlier specimens had been placed in the Liolaemus annectens complex. These lizards look very similar. A cryptic species is separate but hard to recognize by appearance. The new study suggests some regional specimens may have been assigned incorrectly.
How scientists identified it
The team combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, phylogenetic analyses, and physical traits. They compared scales, colors, body measurements, and differences between males and females. Liolaemus arequipensis has a different arrangement of foot scales. It also lacks some dorsal features found in close relatives. The combination of genetic and physical evidence supported treating it as a separate species.
What is known about its life
Adults measure about six to eight centimeters. The lizards live in grasslands, shrublands, wetlands, and areas with yareta plants. They shelter under rocks or in tunnels near plant roots. Researchers found plant material and small arthropods in stomachs. These included spiders, beetles, true bugs, and insect larvae. The species is viviparous, meaning young develop inside the mother. Males and females also have different body patterns.
Why the name matters
A species name creates a clearer scientific record. It helps researchers track which animal lives in each place. Earlier records may have mixed this lizard with its relatives. That means its known range could be smaller than its real range. Clear identification can guide future surveys and conservation work. The discovery also shows that Peru’s high Andes may contain overlooked diversity.
What comes next
Scientists do not yet know the full range or population size. The authors suggest Data Deficient under IUCN criteria. This means there is not enough evidence to judge the lizard’s threat level. It does not mean the lizard is safe. Researchers need more specimens and field surveys. They also point to possible hidden diversity in related Liolaemus groups.
Sources: the research paper in Diversity and the AFP report carried by Folha
Scientists Find a New Lizard in Peru’s High Andes
📰 Full story: A New Lizard Was Hiding at 4,818 Metres in Peru
DNA and body features showed that this lizard was different from its close look-alikes.
Liolaemus arequipensis
The scientific name of the new lizard from Peru.
DNA
Information inside living cells.
Data Deficient
A label for animals that need more information before scientists can judge their risks.
💡 The gist
- Scientists named a new lizard from Peru’s Andes.
- It lives between 3,774 and 4,818 meters.
- DNA helped separate it from similar lizards.
What scientists found
Liolaemus arequipensis is the scientific name of the new lizard. It comes from Arequipa, a region in southern Peru. Its records cover the Castilla and Condesuyos provinces. The lizard lives on high grasslands, shrubs, wetlands, and yareta patches. It hides under rocks and near plant roots. Adults measure about six to eight centimeters.
At first, scientists grouped some specimens with similar lizards. They belonged to the Liolaemus annectens group. Those lizards can look almost alike. That makes species identification difficult. A lizard can have a different color without belonging to a different species.
Scientists compared body shape, scales, colors, and sex differences. They also studied mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. DNA is information inside living cells. The team compared the lizard’s evolutionary family history too. All these clues pointed to a separate species, or kind.
Why the discovery matters
A species name helps prevent records from being mixed. It tells scientists which animal lives in each place. It can also guide future habitat surveys. This lizard shows that high mountain areas may still hide animals scientists have missed.
The lizard eats plant material and small arthropods. Its food includes spiders, beetles, true bugs, and insect larvae. Its young develop inside the mother. Males and females have different body patterns.
What remains unknown
Scientists do not know the total population. They also do not know the full home area. The researchers suggest Data Deficient. That label means there is not enough information to judge danger. It does not mean the lizard faces no risks. More fieldwork and more specimens are needed.
A New Little Lizard Lives High in the Andes
📰 Full story: A New Lizard Was Hiding at 4,818 Metres in Peru
A small new lizard lives high in Peru’s mountains.
Liolaemus arequipensis
The name of the new little lizard.
DNA
Information inside a living body.
A new little lizard lives in Peru. Its name is Liolaemus arequipensis. It is a new kind of lizard. It lives high in the Andes. Its homes reach 4,818 meters. The lowest homes are 3,774 meters high.
It hides under rocks. It also hides near plant roots. People first thought it was a known kind. It looked like its lizard cousins.
Researchers checked its scales. They checked its body patterns too. They also checked its DNA. DNA is information inside a body. These clues showed a new kind.
The lizard eats plants and tiny bugs. Its babies grow inside its mother. Scientists do not know how many live there. They do not know its whole home area. They will keep looking.