A team of researchers has discovered a new species of lizard in the montane forest of Huánuco Department in Peru. The team, led by Germán Chávez, collected three specimens of the new terrestrial lizard during a small field survey in June 2018. The team has named the new species Selvasaura candesi, honouring CANDES, a Peruvian organization that supported this research.
The discovery of Selvasaura candesi is significant because it expands the understanding of the neotropical lizards of the subfamily Cercosaurinae.
The discovery of Selvasaura candesi is significant because it expands the understanding of the neotropical lizards of the subfamily Cercosaurinae.
The western side of the eastern Andes in northern Peru has been poorly explored. However, the pacification process starting in the early 2000s has allowed scientists to explore the region. The discovery of Selvasaura candesi in the montane forest of Huánuco Department in Peru highlights the potential for more new species discoveries in this region.
The Peruvian team used morphological and genetic evidence to support the recognition of Selvasaura candesi as a new species. They also suggests that an integrative taxonomy approach is a critical tool to identify Selvasaura lizards.
This new discovery of Selvasaura candesi contributes to our understanding of the diversity of this genus, and highlights the need for further exploration in poorly explored areas. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Evolutionary Systematics.
The Peruvian team used morphological and genetic evidence to support the recognition of Selvasaura candesi as a new species. They also suggests that an integrative taxonomy approach is a critical tool to identify Selvasaura lizards.
This new discovery of Selvasaura candesi contributes to our understanding of the diversity of this genus, and highlights the need for further exploration in poorly explored areas. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Evolutionary Systematics.
Chávez, G., L. A. Garcia-Ayachi, A. Catenazzi. 2023. A new species of Microteiid Lizard (Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaurini, Selvasaura) from a remote area in the Peruvian Andes. Evolutionary Systematics 7: 123-132.
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