The name 'Aputja' comes from the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara language spoken by the First Nations people of the region. It means 'of the hills,' reflecting the

lizard's habitat, which contrasts with other Liopholis species in the area that inhabit the sandplains. The team collaborated closely with the local APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) community and rangers during fieldwork and sought their input for the species name, acknowledging its endemic range within the APY lands.

The discovery, detailed in a recent publication in Zootaxa, follows a research trip to Central Australia last year. After many long days of searching rock crevices, the team captured several individuals of the newly described species from the Central Ranges, including the Aliwanyiwanyinya and Alalkanya Hills. They also collected reference specimens of L. margaretae from the MacDonnell Ranges, including King’s Canyon and Ormiston Gorge.

Using a combination of morphological examination, genetic analysis, and spatial distribution mapping, the researchers determined that Liopholis aputja is a distinct evolutionary lineage from its relatives. Genetic evidence suggests that Liopholis aputja diverged from its MacDonnell Ranges relatives during the aridification of the Miocene epoch, adapting to the changing environmental conditions of the region.

The discovery of Liopholis aputja underscores the Central Ranges as a hotspot for endemic herpetofauna and highlights the importance of further research in this unique region.

Key distinguishing features of Liopholis aputja include:

• Moderately large size (up to 135 mm snout-to-vent length)
• A relatively pointed snout
• Smooth dorsal scales
• Black, calloused subdigital lamellae (i.e. scales beneath the toes) and soles of feet and hands
• Typically six supraciliary scales and four enlarged ear lobules

Below is the visual identification key of the two species.