This taxon is considered a full species based on evidence from Odierna et al. (1996), Arribas (2001), Crochet et al. (2004), and Mayer and Arribas (1996, 2003).

Global and European regional assessment: Endangered (EN)
EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN)

This species is endemic to the Pyrenees Mountains in Europe. It is assessed as Endangered both globally and for the EU27 Member States because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated at 303 km², it occurs as a severely fragmented population in one or two threat-defined locations, and there is both an ongoing and a projected decline in the extent and quality of its habitat driven primarily by climate change and exacerbated by increasing levels of development.

This species is found in the Pyrenees Mountains. It is restricted to a small part of the border area of Andorra, France and Spain, with the majority of the population found in Spain. An additional subpopulation has been found a short distance to the west, at Estany de la Gola in Spain. It is found from 1,960 to "about 3,000" m asl (Speybroeck et al. 2016).

Most subpopulations are small and consist of tens or a few hundreds of individuals. Mark-recapture quadrat sampling of one subpopulation produced an estimated density of "around" 52 individuals per hectare (Pottier 2012). It occurs in approximately 34 subpopulations, and estimates derived from 1 km² sampling plots in 2010 suggest that each contains 50-100 individuals (Pottier 2012). Subpopulations are fragmented by unsuitable habitat.

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). No decline has been observed to date in the Pyrenees in France (based on long-term monitoring of altitudinal transects in place from 2011 onwards) (P.A. Crochet pers. comm. October 2022), but future declines resulting from climate change are suspected (P.A. Crochet pers. comm. October 2022).

Annual survivorship appears to be high and is estimated at between 65 and 86% in adults of both sexes in the related Iberolacerta bonnali (Pottier 2012).

This species is found in rocky areas in alpine regions. It is generally associated with south-facing, glaciated valleys. 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 six 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 one to three eggs between mid-June and mid-July, and are known to use the same oviposition sites for several years (Speybroeck et al. 2016). Up to 25% of eggs may be partially destroyed by parasitic flies (Pottier 2012). Skeletochronological data suggests that this is a very long-lived species, with a maximum age of 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 only marginally occurs in protected areas and is not present in Regional Nature Reserves or National Parks (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. This author proposes recognising Aurelio's Rock Lizard as the most threatened of the three alpine Iberolacerta species.