This taxon - previously a subspecies of Iberolacerta bonnali - is now considered to be a full species based on evidence from Arribas (1999), Crochet et al. (2004), Mayer and Arribas (1996, 2003) and Odierna et al. (1996).

This species is endemic to the Pyrenees in France and Spain. It is assessed as Near Threatened because its extent of occurrence is little greater than 215 km², and it occurs as a severely fragmented population. While a major threat exists from climate change, and declines are ongoing in the south of the range, surveys over more than a decade suggest that the population is presently stable in France where, however, a future decline in the extent and quality of its habitat driven primarily by climate change is expected to take place over the next several decades. It is consequently close to qualifying for a threatened category applying Criterion B1ab(iii).

This species is found in the Central Pyrenean Mountains of France and Spain, where it occurs in a restricted area between the ranges of the Pyrenean Rock Lizard and Aurelio's Rock Lizard (Pottier 2012). The majority of the species' range lies in France (Pottier 2012). It occurs from 1,426 to 2,750 m asl, with most records having been taken above 2,000 m (Legay and Mekki 2015).

The species is common within its restricted range and the current trend is suspected to be stable. The species occurs in fragmented subpopulations associated with rocky and stony habitats. This isolation is relictual, and due to the modern topography of the intervening area and the species' low vagility there will be no prospect of recolonisation should subpopulations become extinct (Pottier 2012).

Long-term monitoring (2011 onwards) in the Pyrenees in France has shown no declines (P.A. Crochet pers. comm. October 2022), whilst declines have been observed in Spain (M.A. Carretero pers. comm. October 2022).

The species occurs in approximately 48 subpopulations, and estimates derived from 1 km² sampling plots in 2010 suggest that each contains 50-100 individuals (Pottier 2012). The population trend is presumed to be declining, but it is uncertain whether this decline is at a rate as high as 1% per year (Pottier 2012). Annual survivorship appears to be high, and is estimated at between 65-86% in adults of both sexes in the related Iberolacerta bonnali (Pottier 2012). However, the species occurs in inaccessible areas and estimates may therefore be under-estimates (M.A. Carretero pers. comm. October 2022).

Future declines as a result of climate change may occur, but this requires confirmation.

This species is found in rocky alpine habitats, such as stony meadows, rock outcrops and gravelly slopes. It is generally found in areas with large boulders and little vegetation, and often close to small water sources such as brooks or waterfalls although it tends to be inactive in rainy conditions (Arribas 1998, 2010). It can be found on concrete or walls at the margins of anthropogenic areas, but only where there is adjoining natural habitat (Pottier 2016). The area inhabited by the three Pyrenean alpine species of this genus (Iberolacerta aranica, I. aurelioi and I. bonnali) has a mean temperature between -2 and 5 °C (generally below 3 °C - Pottier 2016), a mean temperature of the coldest month of -10 °C or lower, and maximum annual temperatures no greater than 20-25 °C (Pottier 2012). Animals typically restrict daily activity to between 9:00 and 11:00 am, after which rock temperatures become too high (Pottier 2016). Animals are only active for around 6 months (Pottier 2016 notes 4-5), presumably due to strong climatic constraints at the high elevations to which the species is restricted (Pottier 2012). The start of the activity period is defined by snow melt, and so varies with elevation (Pottier 2016).

It is an egg-laying species: females lay a single clutch of two to five eggs between mid-June and mid-July, and are known to use the same oviposition sites for several years (Arribas and Galán 2005). Up to 25% of eggs may be partially destroyed by parasitic flies (Pape and Arribas 2003). Skeletochronological data of I. aurelioi suggests that this is a very long-lived species, with a maximum age up to 17 years, and sexual maturity is reached at four (males) and five (females) years of age (Pottier 2012). This suggests the species exhibits a k-selection strategy (Pottier 2012), with low levels of recruitment that may hinder its ability to adapt to rapid environmental change.

It is likely that climate change represents the most significant threat to this species, strongly accelerating a decline in the availability of suitable habitat which has been ongoing more gradually since the last glaciation (Pottier 2012). This species is unlikely to be able to adapt well to this process, which is likely to increase vegetation cover and result in the gradual disappearance of the habitats on which the species depends (Pottier 2012), and along with other rock lizards is regarded as being among the most vulnerable lizards to climate change by Ortega et al. (2016). Subpopulations on mountain summits are at imminent risk of extinction (Pottier 2012). Climate change may also facilitate upslope displacement by the Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis), a potential competitor (Pottier 2012). Based on temperature increases expected for France as a whole over the next century, Pottier (2016) project an upward shift in the elevations with suitable climatic conditions of more than 500 m over this period. Due to its low fecundity and a life history strategy that depends on high annual survivorship the species is likely to be at elevated risk from any factors that increase mortality, such as epidemics or increased levels of predation (Pottier 2012).

Pastoralism has been ongoing within the species' range for millennia and is unlikely to pose a direct threat to the species unless accompanied by forms of intensification that destroy or degrade suitable habitat (such as track construction or use of chemical pollutants), but in the post-war period development has intensified at higher elevations (Pottier 2012). This includes building roads and car parks, hydroelectric development and establishing ski resorts (Pottier 2012).

This species is unlikely to be subject to any significant trade or collection, as these are nondescript small lizards with strict requirements that would be difficult to maintain in captivity (Pottier 2012). Nevertheless, its taxonomic distinctiveness and highly restricted distribution might result in some interest by specialist commercial collectors (Pottier 2012).

This species is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. Its national protected status in France and Spain is unclear due to outdated taxonomy (treating all three species within "Archaeolacerta monticola"), and there is a need for this to be updated (Pottier 2012). It does not occur in any national parks or Regional Nature Reserves, although its range is relatively well-represented within the Natura 2000 network (Pottier 2012). Hydroelectric development is extensive in the Pyrenees, and while completed dams appear not to represent a risk to the lizards (which can be found around them when habitats remain suitable), environmental impact assessments and maintenance activities should take account of this species' requirements to minimise any impact from construction (Pottier 2016).

As of Pottier (2012) conservation measures in place for this species were deemed inadequate, with the caveat that there remain high degrees of uncertainty surrounding rates of decline, the amount of suitable habitat needed to ensure the species' long-term viability, and the extent and degree of future impacts from identified threats.

Conservation actions should focus on maintaining habitat heterogeneity and water availability (M.A. Carretero pers. comm. October 2022).