New Lizard Species Liolaemus archipensis Found in Peru’s Andes: Key Facts

A new lizard species, Liolaemus archipensis, has been reported from the Andes of Arequipa in southern Peru, at an altitude of more than 4,800 metres (about 15,750 feet). According to the only news source supplied, the Natural History Museum of San Marcos University in Lima announced the finding in early October 2026. The finding raises Peru's known lizard species count to 296. This is a completed announcement, not an upcoming event.

What happened and when

The supporting article is dated 5 October 2026. It says the announcement was made in "early October 2026". It gives no exact announcement date, and it does not say when the lizard was collected or first observed. Treat the source date and the announcement timing as related but not identical, and do not cite a precise discovery date.

Key facts at a glance

Why it matters

The finding adds one more recorded species to Peru's reptile fauna. It also shows how much biodiversity can remain undescribed in extreme high-altitude habitats. The source presents Peru as a megadiverse country, with ecosystems ranging from the Amazon basin to the Andes.

About the lizard

Genus and habitat

Liolaemus is a lizard genus in the family Liolaemidae. The source describes it as including many species adapted to high-altitude environments in South America, and as one of the most species-rich lizard groups on the continent. The new species lives in the Peruvian Andes, a major mountain system on the western edge of South America.

Appearance and sexual dimorphism

Females have square-shaped spots. Males show oblique patterns and white scales that provide camouflage. This difference in appearance between the sexes of one species is called sexual dimorphism.

Diet

The lizard feeds on plants and small arthropods, including spiders, beetles, true bugs and insect larvae. Arthropods are invertebrates with jointed legs and exoskeletons.

Exam-relevant concepts

This item fits the Science & Technology and Environment & Biodiversity topic areas of current-affairs revision. Nothing here suggests a question will be asked. The concepts worth revising are:

• Taxonomy: genus (Liolaemus) and family (Liolaemidae), and how a new species is formally described in a journal.
• Sexual dimorphism: visible differences between males and females of the same species.
• Arthropods: insects, spiders and other jointed-legged invertebrates.
• Geography: Arequipa is a southern Peruvian region with high Andean terrain, and the Andes run along South America's western edge.
• Megadiverse countries: Peru is described as one of them.

Evidence limits

• The finding rests on one news-style summary. The research paper itself was not among the supplied materials, so author names, the publication date and a DOI cannot be confirmed here.
• The exact announcement date, collection date and conservation status are not given.
• The count of 296 lizard species is the source's figure. It was not checked against an independent checklist.
• The second supplied document is a 2014 Zootaxa paper on a different Peruvian lizard, Stenocercus arndti. It does not confirm or describe Liolaemus archipensis, so it is not used for any claim about this discovery.
• The supplied material says nothing about India, so this note makes no India-specific claim.

FAQ

Which new lizard species was reported from Peru?

Liolaemus archipensis, found in the Arequipa region of the southern Peruvian Andes.

Who announced it?

The Natural History Museum of San Marcos University in Lima, in early October 2026, according to the supplied source.

How high was it found?

At more than 4,800 metres, or about 15,750 feet.

How many lizard species does Peru now have?

The source says the known count has reached 296.