A team of biologists has recently discovered 3 new species of dwarf dragon-like lizards in the cloud of tropical forests that covered the range of mountains Andes- an area that is known for its rich biodiversity.
Known as wood lizards, these reptiles found in the dense forests in Peru and Ecuador, South America.
These lizards were discovered during an expedition made by a team of researchers who wanted to find unknown species of wood lizards. The discovery of this dragon-like lizards were published in Journal ZooKeys.
Omar Torres-Carvajal from Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and one of the biologists who discovered these new reptiles said," The diversity of these conspicuous reptiles has been underestimated.”
Until now, biologists believe that reptiles are the least diverse species, mainly because only 6 species of this creature had been discovered eight years ago. However, in the past years, the number of these species has reached 15, including those three new species.
Known as wood lizards, these reptiles found in the dense forests in Peru and Ecuador, South America.
These lizards were discovered during an expedition made by a team of researchers who wanted to find unknown species of wood lizards. The discovery of this dragon-like lizards were published in Journal ZooKeys.
Omar Torres-Carvajal from Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and one of the biologists who discovered these new reptiles said," The diversity of these conspicuous reptiles has been underestimated.”
Until now, biologists believe that reptiles are the least diverse species, mainly because only 6 species of this creature had been discovered eight years ago. However, in the past years, the number of these species has reached 15, including those three new species.
Researchers said, they don't really know why this discovery took so long, especially since these new species are so brightly colored, which makes them easy to be spotted or seen in their natural habitats.
Omar explained that wood lizards are usually large reptiles, so it's popped the questions why only some species have been discovered in the past ten years.
" This shows how much there is still to discover about the reptiles living in South America." said Omar.
" This shows how much there is still to discover about the reptiles living in South America." said Omar.
According to DNA analysis, these three lizards that given the name after one of the financial sponsors, and after the unusual uneven scales down the lizard's back, and after the place of the lizard has been found, are different from each other and from other known species of lizard woods.
ceritakanankiri.blogspot.com
ceritakanankiri.blogspot.com
8 April 2015
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