Peruvian and American biologists have described three beautiful new species in the lizard genus Liolaemus.
Liolaemus pachacutec. Image credit: Aguilar C et al.
These lizards – Liolaemus pachacutec, L. chavin and L. wari – have been confused with other Liolaemus lizards because of their overall similar appearance.
They are named after two different old Andean civilizations and an Inca ruler.
Liolaemus pachacutec is named after one of most important Inca rulers, Pachacutec, who built the best known Inca ruins, including Machu Picchu and Pisac.
Liolaemus chavin. Image credit: Aguilar C et al.
This species is a relatively small lizard, growing to about 4.5 cm in length. It is known from four localities in the central Andes, at elevations of 4,023-4,972 m in the departments of Cusco and Apurímac in southeastern Peru.
The species name of Liolaemus chavin refers to the pre-Inca culture Chavin, which had its center close to the type locality of the species.
This lizard measures about 6.2 cm long. It is known from four localities in the central Andes, at elevations of 3,535–4,450 m in Ancash and Huánuco Departments in western central Peru.
Liolaemus wari. Image credit: Aguilar C et al.
Liolaemus wari is named after the pre-Inca culture Wari (600–850 CE), which had its center close to the type locality in southeastern Peru.
The species is known from seven localities in the central Andes, at elevations of 3,768-4,246 m in Ayacucho Department.
The description of these new lizards is published online in the open access journal Zookeys.
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Aguilar C et al. 2013. Integrative taxonomy and preliminary assessment of species limits in the Liolaemus walkeri complex (Squamata, Liolaemidae) with descriptions of three new species from Peru. ZooKeys 364: 47–91; doi: 10.3897/zookeys.364.6109
