Discovered two new species of lizards in Machu Picchu

Scientists in the region announced the discovery of two new species of lizard in the country's Machu Picchu historic reserve and in a nearby area.

Scientists have discovered two new species of lizard in the Machu Picchu historic reserve. (Photo: DW)

The two species of lizards belong to the genus 'Proctoporus' , a group of lizards distributed in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, said the national agency for the management of natural areas in need of state conservation of Peru (Senarp). threatened with extinction due to human activities and climate change.

• The first species, 'Proctoporus katerynae', was discovered in the buffer zone of the Machiguenga Community Reserve and named in honor of biologist Kateryn Pino Bolaños.
• The second species, 'Proctoporus Optimus' , was found in the historic Machu Picchu reserve, home to the famous Inca citadel and was named after the character 'Optimus Prime' from the sci-fi movie Transformers, which was filmed there. this natural area.

The discovery of these two new species of lizards is the result of researchers from the Señor de Sipán university in Peru; Concepcion (Chile); San Antonio Abad National University Museum of Natural History in Cusco (Peru), Peruvian Biodiversity Museum, Florida International University (USA) and rangers of the Machu Picchu area.