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Investigadores redescubren en Perú una lagartija no observada desde 1876
Investigadores redescubrieron en Perú a Anolis laevis, una enigmática especie de lagartija suramericana que no había sido observada desde su descripción original en 1876, […]
TL;DR
- Anolis laevis, a lizard species not observed since 1876, has been rediscovered in Peru.
- The species, also known as anolis espadachín, is characterized by a small rostral appendix in males, a rare trait among Anolis lizards.
- This rostral appendix represents a notable case of convergent evolution.
- The study documented unique morphological features, including a distinctive dorsal crest and differences in gular fold coloration between sexes.
- The rediscovery occurred in the montane forests of the San Martín department in northeastern Peru.
- The species' restricted distribution and habitat loss have led to a proposal to classify it as 'Endangered' according to IUCN criteria.
- The Anolis genus is highly diverse, with over 400 species, but the systematics of South American anoles remain incomplete.
- Anolis laevis, like several other species, was previously known from only one or very few specimens.