July 18, 2022
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.– In a current research study journey to Peru, Robert Harrington Teacher
of Biology Edgar Lehr found a brand-new types of lizard, which he will have the honor
of calling.
at his research study camp in Peru’s Otishi National forest where he found a brand-new types
of lizard.
Comparable to previous journeys by Lehr, the objective of this research study was to tape-record the amphibian
and reptile types (or herpetofauna), observe the amphibians for the existence of
fungal illness and to recognize brand-new types, he stated.
After 3 years of preparation, Lehr and a group of Peruvian biologists took a trip to
Peru in May for 2 weeks to study the herpetofauna at the remote Otishi National
Park (ONP). Throughout the 2nd day of looking for amphibians and reptiles at 10,670
feet, he found a brand-new types of lizard amongst the moss and turf.
” The name of a brand-new types ends up being legitimate with the clinical publication of its description,”
he stated. “Subsequently, I can not expose the brand-new types name here, however I can state that
IWU will be shocked.”
More info about the lizard, consisting of the name, will be launched after the
findings are released in an academic journal later on this year, he stated.
Lehr was accompanied by Peruvian biologists Juan Carlos Cusi, Bachiller Ricardo Vera,
near a waterfall in Otishi National forest.
Bachiller Maura Fernandez and ONP guard Marco Antonio Mayta.
” All of them have experience with fieldwork at high elevations and I am grateful
for their cooperation and friendship,” he stated.
This is not Lehr’s last task in Peru. He was granted a 2022-23 Fulbright Scholarship which will permit him to go back to teach and research study museum specimens.
With the help of a creative and academic advancement grant awarded by the Professors
Advancement Committee (FDC) of Illinois Wesleyan University, Lehr has actually had the ability to
pursue several research study tasks in Peru He has actually found more than 100 types of amphibians and reptiles to date.
” It is constantly interesting for me to go to remote locations where no biologists have actually gone
before to find brand-new types,” stated Lehr. “Being exposed to forces of nature was
a lovely experience.”
By MJ Soria ’25
