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Chameleonidae
Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) 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 colours, being capable of colour-shifting camouflage. The large number of species in the family exhibit considerable variability in their capacity to change colour. For some, it is more of a shift of brightness (shades of brown); for others, a plethora of colour-combinations (reds, yellows, greens, blues) can be seen. Chameleons are also distinguished by their zygodactylous feet, their prehensile tail, their laterally compressed bodies, their head casques, their projectile tongues used for catching prey, their swaying gait, and in some species crests or horns on their brow and snout. Chameleons' eyes are independently mobile, and because of this the chameleon’s brain is constantly analyzing two separate, individual images of its environment. When h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Furcifer
''Furcifer'' is a genus of chameleons whose member species are mostly endemic to Madagascar, but ''F. cephalolepis'' and ''F. polleni'' are endemic to the Comoros. Additionally, ''F. pardalis'' has been Introduced species, introduced to Réunion, Mauritius and Florida, while ''F. oustaleti'' has been introduced to Kenya and Florida. Taxonomy The genus, generic name () is derived from the Latin root meaning "forked" and refers to the shape of the animal's feet. The genus contains 24 species.Frank Glaw, Glaw F et al. (2009)A distinctive new species of chameleon of the genus ''Furcifer'' (Squamata: Chameleonidae) from the Montagne d'Ambre rainforest of northern Madagascar.''Zootaxa'' 2269: 32-42. Species The following species are recognized as being valid."''Furcifer'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. ''Nota bene'': A Binomial nomenclature, binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Furcifer''. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
