| Calumma tarzan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male Calumma tarzan | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Calumma |
| Species: | C. tarzan |
| Binomial name | |
| Calumma tarzan | |
 | |
Calumma tarzan, also known commonly as the Tarzan chameleon or Tarzan's chameleon, is a species of lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to the Alaotra-Mangoro region in Madagascar. [2] [3] [4] [1]
The specific name, tarzan, is in honor of Tarzan, the fictional jungle dweller created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. [5]
C. tarzan is approximately 119–150 mm (4.7–5.9 in) in total length, 61–72 mm (2.4–2.8 in) in snout-vent length (SVL), with anteriorly fused rostral crests to form a "spade-like" snout that projects 1 millimeter beyond its snout tip. [2] The chameleon has green to light yellow coloration and has a dark transversal band when it is stressed. This species has a very low casque in comparison to other chameleons. [2]
C. tarzan males exhibit a brown to blackish casque and necks while females have a green to light yellow casque and neck. Females have a less pronounced rectangular rostral profile than males in the species. [2]
C. tarzan is endemic to central east Madagascar. This chameleon is found in forest fragments outside of Tarzanville, Province Moramanga, Madagascar. [2]
Madagascar has been subject to rampant fragmentation of forest habitats. Areas in Madagascar that are major protected areas suffer from forest fragmentation because of poor governance and subverted judicial control. [6] The increase in forest fragmentation has created habitats that are not suitable for large mammals and some species of birds. [7] This has made some flagship species of the island, like lemurs and some species of birds, to find refuge in non-fragmented forests. Biologists have named C. tarzan a flagship species because of its colorful appearance and because the area lacks other flagship species from Madagascar. Biologists are using this species to try to support and purpose significance in conservation of fragmented forests in Madagascar. [7]
Calumma is a genus of chameleons, highly adapted and specialised lizards, in the family Chamaeleonidae. The genus is endemic to the island of Madagascar. One species, formerly known as Calumma tigris, was transferred to the genus Archaius in 2010, upon the discovery of its closer relation to Rieppeleon—one of several genera referred to collectively as "leaf" or "pygmy" chameleons—rather than to Calumma. The earliest known fossil of the genus is of Calumma benovskyi, from early Miocene Kenya, showing that the genus likely originated on mainland East Africa. The genus includes one of the heaviest and longest chameleon species, the Parson's chameleon.
Parson's chameleon is a species of chameleon in the family Chamaeleonidae that is endemic to eastern and northern Madagascar. It is found from lowlands to an altitude of 1,195 m (3,920 ft) above sea level and mainly inhabits humid primary forest, but can also occur in disturbed habitats with trees. For a chameleon, it is very large, long-lived and slow-reproducing.
The Malagasy giant chameleon or Oustalet's chameleon is a large species of chameleon which is native to entire Madagascar, but also has been introduced near Nairobi in Kenya and in Miami-Dade County in the United States. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, even among degraded vegetation within villages, but is relatively rare in the interior of primary forest.
The lesser chameleon or minor chameleon is a species of lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
The globe-horned chameleon or flat-casqued chameleon is a large species of chameleon endemic to isolated pockets of humid primary forest in eastern and south eastern Madagascar. It is listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning trade in this species is regulated.
Furcifer nicosiai is a large species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to western Madagascar. Described as new to science in 1999, it was ranked as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has only been found in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park at levels of 57 and 571 metres above mean sea level.
The hooded chameleon is a Vulnerable species of chameleon endemic to north-east Madagascar; its geological type locality is Madagascar. It can be found in humid forests over an area of 17,432 km2 (6,731 sq mi) between 400 and 720 m above mean sea level.
Calumma fallax, the deceptive chameleon or short-nosed deceptive chameleon is a species of chameleon endemic to eastern Madagascar, where its type locality is the Ikongo forest. It was first described by François Mocquard in 1900 as Chamaeleon fallax, and it was first recognized as Calumma fallax in 1986. It is a member of the Chamaeleoninae nominotypical subfamily of chameleons, and is believed to be found over an area of 2,057 km2 (794 sq mi), although the population is unknown.
Calumma nasutum, the Madagascar pimple-nose chameleon, is a small species of chameleon found in Madagascar. The taxonomic identity of the species is currently uncertain and in need of revision, and this revision is likely to result in several newly described species. Several different data sets indicate that C. nasutum is a complex of several species.
Calumma crypticum, commonly known as the cryptic chameleon or blue-legged chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in eastern Madagascar.
Calumma brevicorne, the short-horned chameleon, is a species of chameleon endemic to Madagascar.
The bizarre-nosed chameleon is a species of chameleon endemic to Madagascar. Its scientific name was named after the Malagasy word hafahafa, which means "bizarre" or "strange".
Vences's chameleon is a species of lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Calumma andringitraense is a species of chameleon endemic to Madagascar. It was originally considered a subspecies of Calumma gastrotaenia, the Perinet chameleon.
Calumma boettgeri is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Calumma capuroni is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Calumma glawi is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Calumma guibei, also known commonly as Guibé's chameleon, is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Calumma guillaumeti is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
Calumma hilleniusi is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
