Written in SCIENCE he
The advance of science in our country is increasingly impressive, the best proof is that recently A group of researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) collaborated in the discovery of a new species of lizard in Chiapas. Its name is the little dragon of Coapilla.
Dragonlets (Abronia) are a genus of lizards that are very difficult to work with, because they are very elusive, more so than normal. Sometimes you can easily match them and see 3 or 4, but there are days, and even weeks, where you don’t see them. So this discovery involved a lot of effort and a lot of investment in a matter of time,” says a statement from UNAM.
The most impressive thing is that This scientific discovery involved an effort that began 30 years ago.faced with the need to know the diversity of amphibians and reptiles that live in Mexico.
#UNAM Bulletin They collaborate #UNAMExperts in the discovery of a new species of lizard in Chiapas. This is the Coapilla dragonet (Abronia cunemica) which is endemic to Mexico > https://t.co/yBGLJWPuBs pic.twitter.com/bBVUuOuuIq
— UNAM (@UNAM_MX) February 18, 2024
The only male that was found weighed 38 grams and was approximately 12.7 centimeters long, but without considering the tail. While three adult females recorded a weight of 23 grams and a length of 11 centimeters long, even without considering the tail.
The researchers who had the opportunity to participate in this discovery are members of the UNAM Faculty of Sciences: Adrián Nieto Montes de Oca and Israel Solano Zavaleta; Even the second researcher has had the opportunity to discover at least 20 species of amphibians and reptiles.
The UNAM data explain that the Coapilla dragon lives in the trees that are located in the north of Chiapas, but it is very likely that large populations of this species will not exist; That is to say, it could be at risk of extinction.
The problem with Abronia lizards is that most live in trees, and illegal logging has become a very important problem in our country. For example, there is data that indicates that of the mountain cloud forests that we originally had in Mexico, only 10 percent remain. So, this type of destruction has very serious consequences for biodiversity,” the statement added.
Finally, UNAM researchers highlighted that lizards They have great ecological and social importance, because They help prevent the proliferation of insects in urban areas.
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