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Brown leaf chameleon

January 01, 1970

The brown leaf chameleon or stump-tailed chameleon (Brookesia superciliaris) is a small chameleon found along the eastern coast of Madagascar, as well as the island of Nosy Boraha. Its appearance mimics that of a dead leaf. The taxonomy is in need of revision.[3]

Brown leaf chameleon
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Brookesia
Species:
B. superciliaris
Binomial name
Brookesia superciliaris
(Kuhl, 1820)

Description edit

The brown leaf chameleon is distinguished by its elongated, high, laterally squashed body that resembles a rolled-up, dead leaf. The size and appearance of this chameleon varies considerably over its vast range, and it may be any shade of brown, beige, grey, olive, green, or dark red, but usually display colours and patterns that mimic a dead leaf. Despite its tiny size, the brown leaf chameleon has an imposing appearance due to two pronounced horns that protrude from the head above each eye and four spiny scales that jut from the throat.[4]

Distribution and habitat edit

The brown leaf chameleon occurs in eastern Madagascar (including the island of Nosy Boraha),[5] from sea level up to elevations of over 1,250 metres (4,100 ft).[6] The floor of evergreen primary forest is the preferred habitat of the brown leaf chameleon, but it may also be found in secondary forest and adjacent overgrown plantations.[7] It seems to prefer closed-canopy forest, and climbs higher in the forest (up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft)), more often than other species of Brookesia.[4]

Ecology and behavior edit

The brown leaf chameleon spends its days foraging among dead leaves on the forest floor,[4] searching for prey with its independently moving, protruding eyes and catching insects with its long, sticky tongue.[8] If threatened, the lizard's first reaction is to stay still and rely on its remarkable camouflage, but it may also exhibit other defence behaviours. This includes the 'freeze-and-roll' technique, in which the chameleon folds its legs underneath its belly, rolls over to one side and remains very still, mimicking a dead leaf on the forest floor.[9] Alternatively, the brown leaf chameleon may also thrust its spines to ward off predators.[10]

Brown leaf chameleons have an interesting courtship ritual in which a male approaches a female with pronounced nodding and rocking movements. An unreceptive female repels a male by reacting with jerky movements, while a receptive female walks with the male. After some time walking together, and before dusk, the male mounts the female and is carried on her back until the pair copulates in the late evening or at night. This species is known to store sperm.[4] Between 30 and 45 days after copulation, the female lays two to five eggs, which she hides under dead leaves, moss, and pieces of bark on the forest floor. Sometimes, a true nest is excavated and the clutch is laid on to the ground. The eggs hatch after 59 to 70 days; the brown leaf chameleon reaching sexual maturity within one year.[4]

Threats and conservation edit

Like other Brookesia chameleons, the brown leaf chameleon is threatened primarily by habitat destruction,[5] which is the result of agricultural expansion, timber extraction, and small-scale mining.[11] Harvesting for the international pet trade does occur, but is unlikely to be threatening its survival.[12] Since 2005, export quotas have been set at 200 individuals per year.[13]

The brown leaf chameleon is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that trade in this species should be carefully controlled to be compatible with their survival.[14] It is also known to occur in a number of protected areas, including Befotaka-Midongy National Park,[15] Mantadia National Park,[7] Analamazoatra Special Reserve,[7] and Kalambatitra Special Reserve.[16] Although illegal harvesting and other activities that degrade the forest habitat may lessen any benefits this bestows, this species is more tolerant of forest disturbance than other leaf chameleons.

References edit

This article incorporates text from the ARKive fact-file "Brown leaf chameleon" under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License and the GFDL.

  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). "Brookesia superciliaris". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011. IUCN: e.T172741A6909334. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172741A6909334.en. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Brown leaf chameleon". CITES. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c d e Nečas, P. and Schmidt, W. (2004) Stump-tailed chameleons. Miniature Dragons of the Rainforest. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt.
  5. ^ a b Carpenter, A.I. and Robson, O. (2005) A review of the endemic chameleon genus Brookesia from Madagascar, and the rationale for its listing on CITES Appendix II. Oryx, 39(4): 345-380.
  6. ^ Andreone, F., Randrianirina, J.E., Jenkins, P.D. and Aprea, G. (2000) Species diversity of Amphibia, Reptilia and Lipotyphla (Mammalia) at Ambolokopatrika, a rainforest between the Anjanaharibe-Sud and Marojejy Massifs, NE Madagascar. Biodiversity and Conservation, 9: 1587-1622.
  7. ^ a b c Rakotondravony, H. (2004) Diversité des caméléons forestiers de la région d'Andasibe (Madagascar) et modèle de distribution de cette communauté selon différent types physionomiques. La Terre et la vie: Revue d'Ecologie, 59: 529-544.
  8. ^ Halliday, T. and Adler, K. (2002) The New Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  9. ^ Raxworthy, C. J. (1991) Field observations on some dwarf chameleons (Brookesia spp.) from rainforest areas of Madagascar, with the description of a new species. Journal of Zoology, 224: 11-25.
  10. ^ "Brown Leaf Chameleon". Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  11. ^ Conservation International: Biodiversity Hotspots December 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine (February 2008).
  12. ^ Arkive factsheet 2012-10-08 at the Wayback Machine (citing personal communication with Dr Richard K.B. Jenkins, Madagasikara Voakajy and Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent.)[better source needed]
  13. ^ CITES Export Quotas August 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (March 2011).
  14. ^ CITES (July 2007).
  15. ^ Bora, P., Randriambahiniarime, O., Rabemananjara, F.C.E., Ramilijaona, O.R., Glaw, F. and Vences, M. (2007) A rapid assessment survey of the herpetofauna at Befotaka-Midongy National Park, south-eastern Madagascar. Mitteilungen des Museums für Naturkunde Berlin, Zoologische Reihe, 83: 170-178.
  16. ^ Andreone, F., and Randrianirina, J. (2007) The amphibians and reptiles of Kalambatritra, a little-known rainforest of south-eastern Madagascar. Bollettino del Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino, 24: 179-190.

External links edit

January 01, 1970
brown, leaf, chameleon, brown, leaf, chameleon, stump, tailed, chameleon, brookesia, superciliaris, small, chameleon, found, along, eastern, coast, madagascar, well, island, nosy, boraha, appearance, mimics, that, dead, leaf, taxonomy, need, revision, conserva. The brown leaf chameleon or stump tailed chameleon Brookesia superciliaris is a small chameleon found along the eastern coast of Madagascar as well as the island of Nosy Boraha Its appearance mimics that of a dead leaf The taxonomy is in need of revision 3 Brown leaf chameleon Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix II CITES 2 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Suborder Iguania Family Chamaeleonidae Genus Brookesia Species B superciliaris Binomial name Brookesia superciliaris Kuhl 1820 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Ecology and behavior 4 Threats and conservation 5 References 6 External linksDescription editThe brown leaf chameleon is distinguished by its elongated high laterally squashed body that resembles a rolled up dead leaf The size and appearance of this chameleon varies considerably over its vast range and it may be any shade of brown beige grey olive green or dark red but usually display colours and patterns that mimic a dead leaf Despite its tiny size the brown leaf chameleon has an imposing appearance due to two pronounced horns that protrude from the head above each eye and four spiny scales that jut from the throat 4 Distribution and habitat editThe brown leaf chameleon occurs in eastern Madagascar including the island of Nosy Boraha 5 from sea level up to elevations of over 1 250 metres 4 100 ft 6 The floor of evergreen primary forest is the preferred habitat of the brown leaf chameleon but it may also be found in secondary forest and adjacent overgrown plantations 7 It seems to prefer closed canopy forest and climbs higher in the forest up to 1 5 m 4 9 ft more often than other species of Brookesia 4 Ecology and behavior editThe brown leaf chameleon spends its days foraging among dead leaves on the forest floor 4 searching for prey with its independently moving protruding eyes and catching insects with its long sticky tongue 8 If threatened the lizard s first reaction is to stay still and rely on its remarkable camouflage but it may also exhibit other defence behaviours This includes the freeze and roll technique in which the chameleon folds its legs underneath its belly rolls over to one side and remains very still mimicking a dead leaf on the forest floor 9 Alternatively the brown leaf chameleon may also thrust its spines to ward off predators 10 Brown leaf chameleons have an interesting courtship ritual in which a male approaches a female with pronounced nodding and rocking movements An unreceptive female repels a male by reacting with jerky movements while a receptive female walks with the male After some time walking together and before dusk the male mounts the female and is carried on her back until the pair copulates in the late evening or at night This species is known to store sperm 4 Between 30 and 45 days after copulation the female lays two to five eggs which she hides under dead leaves moss and pieces of bark on the forest floor Sometimes a true nest is excavated and the clutch is laid on to the ground The eggs hatch after 59 to 70 days the brown leaf chameleon reaching sexual maturity within one year 4 Threats and conservation editLike other Brookesia chameleons the brown leaf chameleon is threatened primarily by habitat destruction 5 which is the result of agricultural expansion timber extraction and small scale mining 11 Harvesting for the international pet trade does occur but is unlikely to be threatening its survival 12 Since 2005 export quotas have been set at 200 individuals per year 13 The brown leaf chameleon is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CITES meaning that trade in this species should be carefully controlled to be compatible with their survival 14 It is also known to occur in a number of protected areas including Befotaka Midongy National Park 15 Mantadia National Park 7 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 7 and Kalambatitra Special Reserve 16 Although illegal harvesting and other activities that degrade the forest habitat may lessen any benefits this bestows this species is more tolerant of forest disturbance than other leaf chameleons References editThis article incorporates text from the ARKive fact file Brown leaf chameleon under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3 0 Unported License and the GFDL 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 Brookesia superciliaris The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011 IUCN e T172741A6909334 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2011 2 RLTS T172741A6909334 en Retrieved 13 January 2018 Brown leaf chameleon CITES Retrieved 1 January 2022 Glaw Frank Vences Miguel 2007 A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar 3rd ed Cologne Germany Vences amp Glaw Verlags ISBN 978 3929449037 a b c d e Necas P and Schmidt W 2004 Stump tailed chameleons Miniature Dragons of the Rainforest Edition Chimaira Frankfurt a b Carpenter A I and Robson O 2005 A review of the endemic chameleon genus Brookesia from Madagascar and the rationale for its listing on CITES Appendix II Oryx 39 4 345 380 Andreone F Randrianirina J E Jenkins P D and Aprea G 2000 Species diversity of Amphibia Reptilia and Lipotyphla Mammalia at Ambolokopatrika a rainforest between the Anjanaharibe Sud and Marojejy Massifs NE Madagascar Biodiversity and Conservation 9 1587 1622 a b c Rakotondravony H 2004 Diversite des cameleons forestiers de la region d Andasibe Madagascar et modele de distribution de cette communaute selon different types physionomiques La Terre et la vie Revue d Ecologie 59 529 544 Halliday T and Adler K 2002 The New Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians Oxford University Press Oxford Raxworthy C J 1991 Field observations on some dwarf chameleons Brookesia spp from rainforest areas of Madagascar with the description of a new species Journal of Zoology 224 11 25 Brown Leaf Chameleon Retrieved 2 August 2011 Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots Archived December 4 2008 at the Wayback Machine February 2008 Arkive factsheet Archived 2012 10 08 at the Wayback Machine citing personal communication with Dr Richard K B Jenkins Madagasikara Voakajy and Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology University of Kent better source needed CITES Export Quotas Archived August 3 2011 at the Wayback Machine March 2011 CITES July 2007 Bora P Randriambahiniarime O Rabemananjara F C E Ramilijaona O R Glaw F and Vences M 2007 A rapid assessment survey of the herpetofauna at Befotaka Midongy National Park south eastern Madagascar Mitteilungen des Museums fur Naturkunde Berlin Zoologische Reihe 83 170 178 Andreone F and Randrianirina J 2007 The amphibians and reptiles of Kalambatritra a little known rainforest of south eastern Madagascar Bollettino del Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino 24 179 190 External links editbrown leaf chameleon brookesia superciliaris Brown leaf chameleon media from ARKive nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brown leaf chameleon amp oldid 1170448595, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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