Thecrested chameleon(Trioceros cristatus), also known as thesail backed chameleon,is a species ofchameleonnative to forests and semi-open wooded habitats in Central Africa.[1][2]
| Crested chameleon | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Trioceros |
| Species: | T. cristatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Trioceros cristatus Stutchbury,1837
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Taxonomy
editThe crested chameleon wasfirst describedasChamaeleon cristatusbySamuel Stutchburyin 1837. This was the general position in subsequent centuries, although the genus name was corrected toChamaeleo.In 1986, Klaver and Böhme recognized severalsubgeneraofChamaeleon,placing it in the subgenusTriocerosasChamaeleo (Trioceros) cristatus.In 2009,Trioceroswas elevated to full genus status by Tilbury and Tolley and it becameTrioceros cristatus.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe crested chameleon is restricted to Central Africa, where it can be found inEquatorial Guinea(including the island ofBioko),Cameroon,theCentral African Republic,theDemocratic Republic of the Congo,theRepublic of the Congo,Gabon,Nigeria,GhanaandTogo.Thetype localityis Gabon.[2]
The crested chameleon is found at an altitude between 10 and 900 metres (33 and 2,953 feet) above mean sea level, and it inhabits forests (includingsecondary forests),forest-savanna mosaicsand farmland.[1]
Description
editThe female is larger than the male. The typical total length of a female is about 28 cm (11 in), and the typical total for a male is about 25 cm (9.8 in). Females lay between 11 and 14 eggs, although aclutchof 37 was once found.[3]
Conservation status
editThere is widespread and ongoing habitat degradation in the range of the crested chameleon, but to some degree it is able to withstand this and it also occurs in disturbed habitats. The species is sometimes collected for the pet trade and some local population may have declined because of this. Overall, the crested chameleon is widespread with a range that covers more than 1,000,000 square kilometres (390,000 square miles) and it is unlikely to be undergoing a significant decline. TheIUCNdo not regard it as a threatened species and have classified it asLeast Concern.[1]
References
edit- ^abcdLeBreton, M.; Carpenter, A.I.; Luiselli, L. (2011)."Trioceros cristatus".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2011:e.T176313A7216274.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T176313A7216274.en.Retrieved12 November2021.
- ^abc"Trioceros cristatus | The Reptile Database".Reptile-database.reptarium.cz.Retrieved2012-11-13.
- ^"Crested chameleon videos, photos and facts - Trioceros cristatus".ARKive. 2009-02-23. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-05-12.Retrieved2012-11-13.