New Arboreal Alligator Lizard Species Discovered in Elusive, Enigmatic Mexico

by María Alejandra Trujillo
January 5, 2024

In the verdant treetops of southern Mexico, a new species of lizard has made itself known to the world. After a painstaking search that spanned several years, researchers have unveiled the discovery of the Coapilla arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cunemica). This elusive creature first piqued scientific interest in 2014 when a few enigmatic photographs surfaced, setting off a meticulous investigation.

Uncovering the Hidden

Between 2015 and 2022, five expeditions were conducted, involving more than 350 hours of rigorous searching on the ground and in the canopies of approximately 20 trees. The result was the discovery of this unusually large lizard species, measuring up to 9.8 inches, with a distinctive yellow-brown scaly body and intriguing pale yellow eyes adorned with dark flecks. The species exhibits varied coloring, and some individuals have been observed with broken tails, indicative of their tough arboreal life.

A Peek into their Lives

The Coapilla arboreal alligator lizard leads a high-rise life in the forest canopy, ranging from 11 to 64 feet above the ground. The reptiles were found to be most active during the mornings and afternoons. In an exciting find, two pregnant females were discovered, and a pair was observed displaying courtship behavior on the forest floor. The researchers hypothesize that the Coapilla arboreal alligator lizard might be sedentary for parts of the year, based on the repeated encounter of the same female lizard in the identical area, 97 days apart.

The Importance of Conservation

The species is named in honor of Coapilla, the area of its discovery, reflecting the indigenous Zoque language. To safeguard the species from potential threats, the exact location of their habitat has been deliberately kept vague. The research team, composed of Adam Clause, Roberto Luna-Reyes, Oscar Mendoza-Velazquez, Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca, and Israel Solano-Zavaleta, notes that alligator lizards are native to Central America’s humid highland forests but are often shrouded in mystery due to their cryptic behavior and limited distribution.

The discovery of the Coapilla arboreal alligator lizard underscores the immense biodiversity still hidden in our planet’s forests and the invaluable role they play in the planet’s ecological balance. The findings were published on January 3 in the scientific journal PLOS One, opening a new chapter in the understanding of this unique creature and its habitat.