A team of researchers has identified a unique lizard species, Diplolaemus vulcanus, adapted to extreme altitudes and volcanic terrains in Neuquén, Argentina. This discovery was the result of extensive genetic studies conducted between 2005 and 2011 in the volcanic plains of Patagonia.
Initially misclassified as part of an existing species, further genetic analysis revealed that these volcanic lizards represent a genetically distinct group. The study published in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution on December 16 highlights the significance of genetic research in uncovering biodiversity.
Physical characteristics such as prominent nostrils and elongated snouts were identified, confirming the new species. The Diplolaemus vulcanus can grow up to 20 centimeters long, featuring a brown and toasted color pattern that camouflages it within its rocky environment.
Juan Vrdoljak, a co-author of the study, noted that while little is known about the species' ecology, it likely shares carnivorous habits similar to other lizards in its genus, preying on insects and occasionally other lizards.
Found at elevations above 1,700 meters in Neuquén province near the Chilean border, the species is named after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, reflecting its preference for volcanic terrain. This discovery adds to decades of research by the Patagonian Herpetology Group, which has extensively explored the region and proposed numerous hypotheses regarding local fauna diversity.
The team also reported the potential existence of other yet-to-be-described species, underscoring the importance of ongoing genetic and field studies in recognizing biodiversity in extreme environments.