Naturelle leaf chameleon
Species of lizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The naturelle leaf chameleon (Brookesia karchei)[2] is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It was rated as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on its Red List of Threatened Species. The species was described by Édouard-Raoul Brygoo, Charles Pierre Blanc, and Charles Antoine Domergue in 1970.
| Naturelle leaf chameleon | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Brookesia |
| Species: | B. karchei |
| Binomial name | |
| Brookesia karchei | |
 | |
| Geographic range of Brookesia karchei in Madagascar. | |
Etymology
The specific name, karchei, is in honor of geologist Jean-Paul Karche.[3]
Geographic range, habitat, and conservation status
The naturelle leaf chameleon is found in Madagascar in Marojejy National Park (Massif du Marojezy or Parc National de Marojejy) centered on the Marojejy Massif.[4] It has only been found at elevations between 380 and 850 m (1,250 and 2,790 ft) above sea level. The species can be found over an area of 597 km2 (231 mi2), and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature,[5] because of loss of "quality" forest habitat caused by the extraction of richly hued rosewood timber, although the true population of the species has not been determined. The extraction of rosewood is its main threat.[1] It is terrestrial and is found in humid forests at mid- or low-elevation. In the Marojejy National Park, collection of this chameleon, and all others, is illegal.[1]
History
Description
The female naturelle leaf chameleon measures 30.7 mm (1.21 in) in snout-vent length (SVL), and has a total length (including tail) of 51.0 mm (2.01 in).[6]