Flap-necked chameleon

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Flap-necked chameleon
Flap-neck Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) (11567042266).jpg
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Chamaeleo
Species:
C. dilepis
Binomial name
Chamaeleo dilepis
Leach, 1819
Chamaeleo dilepis distribution.png
Synonyms [2]

(arranged in alphabetical order)

  • Chamaeleo angusticoronatus
    Barbour, 1903
  • Chamaeleo bilobus
    Kuhl, 1820
  • Chamaeleo capellii
    Bocage, 1866
  • Chamaeleo planiceps
    Merrem, 1820

The flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) is a species of arboreal chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. There are eight recognized subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Contents

Subspecies

The following subspecies of the flap-necked chameleon are recognized as being valid. [2]

Etymology

The subspecific name roperi is in honor of G.D. Trevor-Roper. [3]

The subspecific name ruspolii is in honor of Italian explorer Prince Eugenio Ruspoli. [3]

Description

Chamaeleo dilepis is a large chameleon, reaching a total length (including tail) of 35 cm (14 in). Colouring ranges through various shades of green, yellow, and brown. There is usually a pale stripe on the lower flanks and one to three pale patches higher on the flanks. [4]

Geographic range and habitat

Chamaeleo dilepis has a very wide distribution, occurring throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa from as far north as Ethiopia and Somalia to a western extreme of Cameroon, and as far south as northern South Africa. It inhabits coastal forest, moist or dry savannah, woodland and bushy grasslands, and may also venture into rural and suburban areas. [1]

Ecology

The adult female flap-necked chameleon lays 10-40 eggs in a hole dug in soil. The eggs take 10–12 months to hatch. The diet of C. dilepis includes a variety of invertebrates, although large individuals may take geckos and other chameleons. The species is itself commonly preyed on by snakes such as the boomslang and the twig snake. [1]

Conservation

The flap-necked chameleon is in heavy demand for the international pet trade, being the third most highly traded chameleon species. More than 111,000 individuals were exported between 1977 and 2011, mostly to the USA. No detrimental effects on the total population size have been observed so far, although more in-depth studies have been recommended. The species is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Tolley K (2014). "Chamaeleo dilepis ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T176308A1438077. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T176308A1438077.en .
  2. 1 2 Species Chamaeleo dilepis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. 1 2 Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Chameleo roperi, p. 226; Chameleo ruspolii, p. 229).
  4. Tolley, Krystal; Burger, Marius (2007). Chameleons of Southern Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. 100 pp. ISBN   978-1770073753. (Chamaeleo dilepis, pp. 87–88).

Further reading

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Chamaeleo dilepis at Wikimedia Commons