Spectral pygmy chameleon

Last updated

Spectral pygmy chameleon
Cameroon Stumptail Chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) (7668008064).jpg
Rhampholeon spectrum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Rhampholeon
Species:
R. spectrum
Binomial name
Rhampholeon spectrum
Buchholz, 1874
Rhampholeon spectrum distribution.png
Synonyms

Chamaeleo spectrumBuchholz, 1874
Brookesia spectrumLoveridge, 1951
Rhampholeon affinis Steindachner, 1911

Contents

The spectral pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum), also known as western pygmy chameleon or Cameroon stumptail chameleon, [1] is one of the so-called "dwarf" or "leaf" chameleons, from mainland Africa.

Distribution

The exact distribution differs between sources, but includes at least Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, [1] [2] and may include the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, [2] and Nigeria. [1]

Description

They are small, not exceeding 10 cm (4 in), with very short, albeit prehensile, tails. They tend to frequent the ground and low shrubbery in forested areas. [3]

This species is capable of color change, but generally in somber shades of tan to gray. It also has a ventral stripe from the eye to above the base of the tail which, however, is not always displayed in lieu of plain ground colors. It is capable of quite striking coloration in the form of streaks and blotches.

In spite of their small size, plain color, and often terrestrial habits, they are otherwise very much like the larger chameleons in possessing independently rotating eye sockets, opposable digits on the front and back feet, and projectile tongues. Males may be differentiated from females by their wider tail bases.

Behavior

They are extremely sedentary, and not territorial (unlike other chameleons). They eat small invertebrates. Their reproductive habits are poorly known. These animals seem to prefer cooler temperatures.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chameleon</span> Family of reptiles

Chameleons or chamaeleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 200 species described as of June 2015. The members of this family are best known for their distinct range of colors, being capable of shifting to different hues and degrees of brightness. The large number of species in the family exhibit considerable variability in their capacity to change color. For some, it is more of a shift of brightness ; for others, a plethora of color-combinations can be seen.

<i>Brookesia</i> Genus of lizards

Brookesia is a genus of chameleons, endemic to Madagascar, that range from small to very small in size, and are known collectively as leaf chameleons. Brookesia includes species considered to be the world's smallest chameleons, and are also among the smallest reptiles. Members of the genus Brookesia are largely brown and most are essentially terrestrial.

<i>Rhampholeon</i> Genus of lizards

Rhampholeon is a genus of small chameleons, commonly known as pygmy chameleons or African leaf chameleons, found in central East Africa. They are found in forests, woodlands, thickets, and savanna, and most species are restricted to highlands. They are brown, grey, or green, and typically seen at low levels in bushes, or on the ground among grasses or leaf litter.

<i>Rieppeleon</i> Genus of lizards

Rieppeleon is a genus of small, typically brown chameleons found in forests and savannas in central East Africa. They are found at low levels in bushes, or on the ground among grass or leaf litter.

<i>Rieppeleon brevicaudatus</i> Species of lizard

Rieppeleon brevicaudatus, commonly known as the bearded leaf chameleon or bearded pygmy chameleon, is a chameleon originating from the eastern Usambara and Uluguru Mountains in northeastern Tanzania and Kenya. It is easily distinguished from others in the Rieppeleon genus by the presence of a "beard" below the mouth, consisting of a few raised scales. At a full grown length of only 3 in (8 cm), it is marked by somewhat drab coloring in comparison to other chameleons, usually assuming a brown or tan coloring. It is quite capable of changing its coloration, though, often taking on a shade to blend into the background and becoming darker when under stress. It is also capable of compressing its body laterally and producing a stripe down its side, mimicking a dead leaf. It often assumes this form when sleeping in the open. It can adopt a variety of colors, including yellow, green, orange, black, and brown. A common misconception is that these chameleons use their color-changing abilities as camouflage, but they actually use their color-changing skin to court and show stress or emotion. Males are distinguished by a longer tail, more prominent dorsal crest, slimmer body type, and persistent patterning. Like others in the family Chamaeleonidae, it is distinguished by independently rotating eye sockets and a tongue longer than its body.

<i>Brookesia minima</i> Species of reptile

Brookesia minima,, is a diminutive chameleon that was regarded as the smallest lizard of the Chamaeleonidae until a smaller species, Brookesia nana, was described in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall's pygmy chameleon</span> Species of lizard

Marshall's pygmy chameleon, also called Marshall's leaf chameleon, Marshall's dwarf chameleon, or Marshall's stumptail chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in the forests of Zimbabwe and Mozambique in Africa. It grows from 3.5 to 7.5 cm and feeds on insects. When standing still, it resembles a leaf on a branch.

Rieppeleon brachyurus, known commonly as the zomba pygmy chameleon, is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to eastern and southeastern Africa.

Rhampholeon bruessoworum, the Mount Inago pygmy chameleon, is a small species of chameleon endemic to Mozambique. It was described in 2014. It has been found in small patches of wet forest at the base of the Mount Inago granitic inselberg. It is only known from that locality. The wet forests it inhabits are mid-altitude afrotemperate, 1,430–1,480 m (4,690–4,860 ft), with a canopy height primarily 20–30 m (66–98 ft) tall. The lizard occurs in highly fragmented and threatened portions. Its habitat quality is degrading, with pressures from logging for agricultural land and commercial logging operations. Because of its reduced and threatened habitat, it is considered Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Males grow to 56 mm (2.2 in) and females to 62 mm (2.4 in).

Rhampholeon chapmanorum, also known commonly as Chapmans' pygmy chameleon, is a species of terrestrial pygmy chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to forest fragments in the Natundu Hills, Malawi. It was described as a species new to science by Colin R. Tilbury in 1992, from a patch of lowland seasonal rainforest in the Matandwe Forest Reserve.

Rhampholeon beraduccii, also known commonly as Beraducci's pygmy chameleon or the Mahenge pygmy chameleon, is a species of lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Tanzania.

Rhampholeon boulengeri, also known commonly as Boulenger’s pygmy chameleon, is a species of lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to eastern Africa.

Rhampholeon nchisiensis, the South African stumptail chameleon or Nchisi pygmy chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in Malawi and Tanzania.

Rhampholeon platyceps, the Mount Mulanje pygmy chameleon or Malawi stumptail chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in Malawi and Mozambique.

<i>Rhampholeon tilburyi</i> Species of lizard

Rhampholeon tilburyi, the Mount Namuli pygmy chameleon, is a small species of chameleon endemic to Mozambique.

Rhampholeon viridis, the green pygmy chameleon, is a species of chameleons endemic to Tanzania.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mariaux, J. & LeBreton, M. (2010). "Rhampholeon spectrum". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . IUCN. 2010: e.T176322A7218445. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T176322A7218445.en . Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 Rhampholeon spectrum at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 28 August 2015.
  3. Matthee, C. A.; Tilbury, C. R.; Townsend, T. (2004). "A phylogenetic review of the African leaf chameleons: genus Rhampholeon (Chamaeleonidae): the role of vicariance and climate change in speciation". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 271 (1551): 1967–75. doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2806. PMC   1691807 . PMID   15347522.