A New Genus of Gymnophthalmid Lizard from the Central Peruvian Andes

The Andes harbor extraordinary species richness, but a substantial proportion of their biodiversity remains insufficiently documented. Among their most diverse lineages are lizards of the family Gymnophthalmidae, whose diversity remains underestimated. Here, we assess the phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of a poorly known group of cercosaurine lizards from the eastern slopes of the central Peruvian Andes. We examined preserved specimens from the departments of Pasco and Huánuco and obtained DNA sequences of one nuclear (c-mos) and four mitochondrial markers (12S, 16S, ND4, and Cytb). These sequences were combined with data retrieved from GenBank to assemble a multilocus matrix of 2290 base pairs representing 153 terminal taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred under a maximum-likelihood approach. The six focal specimens formed a clade within Cercosaurini, with strong support (UFBoot = 100) for its phylogenetic placement and monophyly. This new clade is distinguished from closely related genera by a distinctive combination of external morphological characters, including the presence of precloacal pores and the third subocular extending ventrally between the supralabial scales. Based on the congruence between molecular and morphological evidence, we describe Perusaurus gen. nov., transfer Petracola labioocularis to the new genus as Perusaurus labioocularis comb. nov., and based on morphological evidence, we also transfer Proctoporus laudahnae to Perusaurus laudahnae comb. nov. The clade also includes at least two species awaiting formal description. The recognition of Perusaurus demonstrates that the evolutionary diversity of Cercosaurinae in the Peruvian Andes remains considerably underestimated.