Calumma crypticum
| Calumma crypticum | |
|---|---|
| File:Blue-legged chameleon (Calumma crypticum) male Ranomafana.jpg | |
| Male | |
| File:Blue-legged chameleon (Calumma crypticum) female Ranomafana.jpg | |
| Female | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Calumma |
| Species: | C. crypticum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calumma crypticum Raxworthy & Nussbaum, 2006
| |
| File:Calumma crypticum distribution.png | |
_male_Ranomafana.jpg){kind=link}
_female_Ranomafana.jpg){kind=link}
Calumma crypticum, commonly known as the cryptic chameleon or blue-legged chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in eastern Madagascar.[2][1][3][4]
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]This species was first described in 2006 as Calumma crypticum by Raxworthy & Nussbaum, one of six new species from mountain regions of Madagascar.[5] It is very similar to, and was previously included in, the short-horned chameleon (Calumma brevicorne), but in 2007, Boumans et al. confirmed that it was sufficiently genetically distinct to be considered a valid species.[1]
Description
[edit | edit source]Calumma crypticum grows to a length of about 12 cm (5 in) and has large flap-like lobes at the back of the head. The species is sexually dimorphic, the male having a longer snout with a horn-like protrusion on its upper surface, which the female lacks. As with other chameleon species, the colour is variable, depending on the colour of the surroundings, the ambient temperature, and variations in the level of light, but this species is usually quite colourful with rich browns, blues and greens, and the legs are often marked with blue.[6]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]Calumma crypticum is endemic to eastern Madagascar where it is a mid-altitude species occurring between 1,050 and 1,850 m (3,445 and 6,070 ft) above sea level. Its range extends from the Tsaratanana Massif and the Ivakoany Massif. It is an arboreal species, living in humid forests; its distribution is patchy because of forest clearance on the central highlands between the mountain blocks, but there is a subpopulation around Ambohitantely in the central west of the island.[1]
Status
[edit | edit source]This chameleon has a widespread distribution and occurs in a number of protected areas. Suitable habitat is being cleared for agriculture and the population is gradually declining, however the species is sufficiently common that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern.[1]
-
Male, Ranomafana
-
Female, Ranomafana
_female_2_Ranomafana.jpg){kind=link}
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).