Mountain Dragons: Guardians of Biodiversity Amidst Climate Change

A shy and secretive lizard, known as the mountain dragon, resides in Australia's eastern highlands. This reddish-grey reptile, with its distinctive pale strips, exemplifies the impact of climate change on biodiversity, as highlighted by recent research in 'Current Biology.'

By leveraging conservation paleobiology, researchers are uncovering how past climatic shifts influenced species distribution. The study draws connections between historical data and modern genetic analysis, revealing shrinking populations of the mountain dragon, a species once spread across a more extensive range.

This research, vital for conservation efforts, emphasizes the urgent need for strategic plans addressing the movement and protection of Australia's unique species, as habitats continue to shift under climate pressures.