Vences' chameleon

Vences' chameleon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Iguania
Family:Chamaeleonidae
Genus:Calumma
Species: C. vencesi
Binomial name
Calumma vencesi
Andreone, Mattioli, Jesu & Randrianirina, 2001
Range of Vences' chameleon

Vences' chameleon (Calumma vencesi) is a species of chameleons, which is endemic to Madagascar. It was named after Miguel Vences, a German herpetologist.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

The geographic range of Vences' chameleon is not well understood; it is thought that the total area is around 591 square kilometers (228 square miles). What is certain is that specimens have been collected from several forests in the northeastern corner of Madagascar. The species mostly inhabits the understories of humid forests in the lowlands.[1]

Conservation and threats

The main threat to Vences' chameleon is habitat loss and degradation. While having a sizable range, the species is extremely intolerant of damaged habitat. Also, it has not been recorded in any protected areas, making it all the more vulnerable to logging and slash and burn agriculture. Fortunately, the illegal trade of this species seems to be virtually nonexistent.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jenkins RKB, Andreone F, Andriamazava A, Anjeriniaina M, Brady L, Glaw F, Griffiths RA, Rabibisoa N, Rakotomalala D, Randrianantoandro JC, Randrianiriana J, Randrianizahana H, Ratsoavina F, Robsomanitrandrasana E (2011). Calumma vencesi. In: IUCN 2014. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 26 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Calumma vencesi. The Reptile Database.
  3. ↑ 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. (Calumma vencesi, p. 274).

Further reading

  • Andreone, Franco; Mattioli, Fabio; Jesu, Riccardo; Randrianirina, Jasmin E. (2001). "Two new chameleons of the genus Calumma from north-east Madagascar, with observations on hemipenial morphology in the Calumma furcifer group (Reptilia, Squamata, Chamaeleonidae)". Herpetological Journal 11 (2): 53-68. (Calumma vencesi, new species).
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