Malagasy giant chameleon

Malagasy giant chameleon
Male, Montagne d’Ambre National Park
Female, Anjajavy Forest
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Furcifer
Species:	F. oustaleti
Binomial name
Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard, 1894)

The Malagasy giant chameleon or Oustalet's chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) is a large species of chameleon which is native to entire Madagascar, ^[2] but also has been introduced near Nairobi in Kenya (though its current status there is unclear) and in Miami-Dade County in the United States. ^{[3] [4]} It occurs in a wide range of habitats, even among degraded vegetation within villages, but is relatively rare in the interior of primary forest. ^[1]

Distribution and habitat

F. oustaleti is endemic to Madagascar and is found throughout the island. It inhabits a very wide range of habitat types including dry deciduous forest, humid evergreen forest, montane savanna, degraded forests, agricultural areas and even urban settings. It is seldom found deep in the forest interior, but more on the edges. ^[1]

Description

With a maximum total length (including tail) of 68.5 cm (27 in), F. oustaleti is generally considered the world's largest species of chameleon by this measurement. ^{[1] [2] [5]} Exceptionally large Calumma parsonii (Parson's chameleon) and Trioceros melleri (Meller's chameleon) have been claimed to reach even greater lengths, but this remains unverified. ^{[6] [7]} F. oustaleti is relatively slender and its weight is surpassed by certain other large chameleon species that are more robust, notably C. parsonii. ^[8] Large adult males of F. oustaleti typically weigh 400–500 g (14–18 oz), ^[9] but lower weights are common and females consistently weigh less. ^[10] Females also remain considerably smaller than males in total length, reaching up to about 40 cm (16 in). ^[10] The head bears a high casque with several crests, and a dorsal crest consisting of 45 or more small triangular spines, runs along the spine. ^[5]

The colouring of F. oustaleti is quite variable. Males are usually largely grey or brownish, sometimes with reddish-orange feet or underparts. Females are more variable and often more colourful than males, with base colour or markings in red, yellow and green being possible, and the eyelids can sometimes be blue. ^{[5] [10]}

• 
  male, Anja Community Reserve
• 
  juvenile male, Montagne d'Ambre National Park
• 
  female, Ankarana Special Reserve
• 
  female, Ankarafantsika National Park
• 
  young female, Isalo National Park

Diet

The diet of F. oustaleti includes invertebrates such as large insects as well as some vertebrates such as small birds and reptiles. This is also one of several chameleon species that are known to consume fruit. F. oustaleti is known to regularly consume the fruit of Grangeria porosa, Chassalia princei, and Malleastrum gracile, and will do so even during the wet season, suggesting that fruit is not consumed just to obtain water. Typically, prey is acquired with a long, muscular tongue, while fruit is seized directly with the jaws, but occasional exceptions to this rule have been recorded. In one unusual case however, this species was recorded grasping fruit bearing twigs with the zygodactyl feet and bringing them closer for consumption. Amongst reptiles, this level of food manipulation with the forelimbs is otherwise only documented in some species of monitor lizards ^[11] and Chamaeleo namaquensis. The latter is also known to feed on plants. ^[12]

• 
  male feeding 1 of 4
• 
  male feeding 2 of 4
• 
  male feeding 3 of 4
• 
  male feeding 4 of 4

Taxonomy

F. oustaleti is the only chameleon of Madagascar to occur in both the most arid regions and the wettest regions ( F. lateralis formerly was considered equally widespread but has been split into several species), ^{[2] [13]} and a degree of geographic variation in colour and size has been observed, ^[10] leading some to question whether F. oustaleti really is a single species or a species complex. ^[1]

Etymology

The generic name, Furcifer , is derived from the Latin root furci- meaning "forked" and refers to the shape of the animal's feet. ^[14]

The specific name, oustaleti, is a Latinized form of the last name of French biologist Jean-Frédéric Émile Oustalet, in whose honor the species is named. ^[15]

References

1. Jenkins, R.K.B.; Andreone, F.; Andriamazava, A.; Anjeriniaina, M.; Brady, L.; Glaw, F.; Griffiths, R.A.; Rabibisoa, N.; Rakotomalala, D.; Randrianantoandro, J.C.; Randrianiriana, J.; Randrianizahana , H.; Ratsoavina, F.; Robsomanitrandrasana, E. (2011). "Furcifer oustaleti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172866A6932058. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172866A6932058.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2007). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN   978-3929449037.
3. Spawls S, Drewes R, Ashe J (2002). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa. Cologne, Germany: Academic Press. ISBN   0-12-656470-1.
4. Smith, D.; Vinci, J.; Anderson, C.V.; Eckles, J.K.; Ridgley, F.; Mazzotti, F.J. (2016). "Observations on Nesting and Clutch Size in Furcifer oustaleti (Oustalet's Chameleon) in South Florida". Southeastern Naturalist. 15 (8): 75–88. doi:10.1656/058.015.sp808. S2CID   90309093.
5. Bowles, Philip. "Oustalet's Chameleon". Online Field Guide. Archived from the original on 20 January 2020.
6. Necas, P.; Strand, B. "Care sheet for the Parson's chameleon Calumma parsonii parsonii" (PDF). chameleons.info. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
7. "Meller's Chameleon". LLL Reptile. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015.
8. Jenkins, R.K.B.; Andreone, F.; Andriamazava, A.; Anjeriniaina, M.; Brady, L.; Glaw, F.; Griffiths, R.A.; Rabibisoa, N.; Rakotomalala, D.; Randrianantoandro, J.C.; Randrianiriana, J.; Randrianizahana , H.; Ratsoavina, F.; Robsomanitrandrasana, E. (2011). "Calumma parsonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172896A6937628. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172896A6937628.en . Retrieved 28 October 2023.
9. "Oustalet's Chameleon Furcifer Oustatleti". Dallas World Aquarium. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
10. "Furcifer oustaleti". madcham.de. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
11. Takahashi, Hiroo (December 2008). "Fruit Feeding Behavior of a Chameleon Furcifer oustaleti: Comparison with Insect Foraging Tactics". Journal of Herpetology. 42 (4): 760–763. doi:10.1670/07-102R2.1. JSTOR   40060573. S2CID   85758329.
12. Burrage, Bryan (October 1973). "Comparative ecology and behavior of Chamaeleo pumilus pumilus (Gmelin) and C.namaquensis A. Smith (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae)". Annals of the South African Museum. 61: 75–79.
13. Florio, A.M.; Ingram, C.M.; Rakotondravony, H.A.; Louis, E.E.; Raxworthy, C.J. (2012). "Detecting cryptic speciation in the widespread and morphologically conservative carpet chameleon (Furcifer lateralis) of Madagascar". Evolutionary Biology. 25 (7): 1399–1414. doi: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2012.02528.x . PMID   22686488.
14. Le Berre, François; Richard D. Bartlett (2009). The Chameleon Handbook. Barron's Educational Series. p. 4. ISBN   978-0-7641-4142-3.
15. Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Furcifer oustaleti, p. 198).