[Herpetology • 2015] Proctoporus machupicchu • A New Species of Andean Lizard Proctoporus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Montane Forest of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru

Figure 3. Dorsal and ventral views of living specimens of Proctoporus machupicchu.
A–B adult female (MHNC 13362); C–D adult female (MHNC 13513); and E–F inmature male (MHNC 13373).

Abstract

We describe a new species of lizard assigned to the genus Proctoporus from the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in the Department of Cusco (southeastern Peru) where it inhabits a montane forest region at an elevation between 2,760–2,800 m. The new species is distinguishable from all other species of Proctoporus by a unique combination of morphometric, scalation, and color pattern characteristics. 

 Key words: Oriental Cordillera, Cusco, Peru, South America, Andean lizard, Proctoporus, Natural Protected Area, Cercosaurinae 

Proctoporus machupicchu sp. nov. 

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:216381E4-4C4B-4C3C-99AE-0DCEFEC45352 

Proposed standard English name: Machu Picchu Andean Lizard 

Proposed standard Spanish name: Lagartija Andina de Machu Picchu

Etymology: The specific epithet is an indeclinable word that refers to the distribution of the new species in the Natural Protected Area of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, in the Cordillera of Vilcanota, one of the most important formations in the Andes of southern Peru. 

Distribution: Proctoporus machupicchu is known only from Aobamba (type locality), and Wiñaywayna, both inside the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu between 2,760–2,800 m (Fig. 4). With the addition of the new species, the genus Proctoporus contains 12 species from Peru; six of them (Proctoporus guentheri, P. kiziriani, P. lacertus, P. machupicchu sp. nov., P. unsaacae, P. sucullucu) located in the Department of Cusco. 

Habitat and ecology: Individuals were found during the day under rocks in the montane forest, of the eastern slope, of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes (Fig. 5). 

Conservation: The status of this species is unknown. More herpetological surveys and population studies are needed to adequately assess its status.

Resumen: Describimos una nueva especie de lagartija asignada al género Proctoporus, proveniente del Santuario Histórico de Machu Picchu en el Departamento del Cusco (Sureste de Perú), habita la región de bosques montanos entre los 2,760–2,800 m de altitud. La nueva especie se distingue de todas las demás especies de Proctoporus por la combinación única de caracteres morfométricos, escamación y características en los patrones de coloración.

Palabras clave: Cordillera Oriental, Cusco, Perú, América del Sur, Lagartija andina, Proctoporus, Área Natural Protegida, Cercosaurinae

Luis Mamani, Noemí Goicoechea and Juan C. Chaparro. 2015. A New Species of Andean Lizard Proctoporus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Montane Forest of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru.
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 9(1) [Special Section]: 1–11 (e96). 

http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_9_no_1/ARC_9_1_[Special_Section]_1-11_e96_high_res.pdf