New endemic lizard species discovered in Peruvian highlands

An international team of scientists from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru has discovered a new endemic lizard species in the Peruvian highlands. Located in the Putina district of the San Antonio de Putina province, the species lives at altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters above sea level.

Named ‘Liolaemus yawar’—which translates to ‘blood lizard’ in Quechua—the species is distinguished by the intense red coloration of adult males. The name serves as a tribute to the Quechua language and the cultural heritage of the Andean region. The discovery was confirmed through morphological analysis as well as molecular and phylogenetic evidence.

The lizard inhabits puna environments and high Andean grasslands, moving among rocks and utilizing burrows for shelter. Due to the extreme cold of its habitat, researchers suggest the species may be viviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs to protect offspring from low temperatures. Currently, the species has only been recorded in areas between San Antonio de Putina and Mina Rinconada in Puno.