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Chameleons
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 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lizard
Lizard is the common name used for all Squamata, squamate reptiles other than snakes (and to a lesser extent amphisbaenians), encompassing over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most Island#Oceanic islands, oceanic Archipelago, island chains. The grouping is Paraphyly, paraphyletic as some lizards are more closely related to snakes than they are to other lizards. Lizards range in size from chameleons and geckos a few centimeters long to the 3-meter-long Komodo dragon. Most lizards are quadrupedal, running with a strong side-to-side motion. Some lineages (known as "legless lizards") have secondarily lost their legs, and have long snake-like bodies. Some lizards, such as the forest-dwelling ''Draco (genus), Draco'', are able to glide. They are often Territory (animal), territorial, the males fighting off other males and signalling, often with bright colours, to attract mates and to intimidate rivals. Lizards are mainly carnivorous, often b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trioceros Jacksonii
Jackson's chameleon (''Trioceros jacksonii''), also known commonly as Jackson's horned chameleon, the three-horned chameleon, and the Kikuyu three-horned chameleon, is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to East Africa, and introduced to Hawaii, Florida, and California. Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes RC, Ashe J (2002). ''A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibian of East Africa''. Academic Press. pp. 227–228. Global Invasive Species Database. (2010). Chamaeleo jacksonii (reptile).'' Retrieved 16 November 2014.California Herps: A Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of California. '' Retrieved 20 April 2017. There are three recognized subspecies. Taxonomy Jackson's chameleon was described by Belgian-British zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1896. (''Chamaeleon jacksonii'', new species). Etymology The generic name, ''Trioceros'', is derived from the Greek τρί- (''tri-'') meaning "three" and κέρας (''kéras'') meanin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Furcifer Pardalis
The panther chameleon (''Furcifer pardalis'') is a species of chameleon found in the eastern and northern parts of Madagascar in a tropical forest biome. Additionally, it has been Introduced species, introduced to Réunion and Mauritius, as well as the state of Florida within the United States. Taxonomy The panther chameleon was first described by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1829. Its genus, generic name (''Furcifer'') is derived from the Latin root ''furci'' meaning "forked" and refers to the shape of the animal's feet. The species, specific name ''pardalis'' refers to the animals' markings, as it is Latin for "leopard" or "spotted like a panther". The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from Latin ''chamaeleō'', a borrowing of the Ancient Greek χαμαιλέων (''khamailéōn''), a compound (linguistics), compound of χαμαί (''khamaí'') "on the ground" and λέων (''léōn'') "lion". The Greek word is a calque translating the Akkadian langua ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brookesia Micra
''Brookesia micra'', also known as the Nosy Hara leaf chameleon is a species of chameleons from the islet of Nosy Hara in Antsiranana, Madagascar. At the time of its discovery, it was the smallest known chameleon and among the smallest reptiles, until the 2021 discovery of the even smaller '' B. nana''. Adult ''B. micra'' can grow up to in length. Taxonomy ''Brookesia micra'' was discovered and named by a team of researchers led by Frank Glaw of the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology. Glaw and his colleagues have been conducting expeditions into the Malagasy forests for eight years. Members of the species had previously been labelled as ''Brookesia'' sp. "Nosy Hara" in 2007 by Glaw and Vences. Etymology The specific epithet of ''B. micra'' is a derivation of the Latin form of the Greek word "μικρός" (''mikros''), which means either "tiny" or "small" and refers to the small body size. Description The males of ''Brookesia micra'' reach a maximum snout-vent length of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chamaeleoninae
Chamaeleoninae is the nominotypical subfamily of chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae). The Family Chamaeleonidae was divided into two subfamilies, Brookesiinae and Chamaeleoninae, by Klaver and Böhme in 1986. Since its erection in 1986, however, the validity of this subfamily designation has been the subject of much debate, although most phylogenetic studies support the notion that the pygmy chameleons of the subfamily Brookesiinae are not a monophyletic group. While some authorities have previously preferred to use the subfamilial classification on the basis of the absence of evidence principal, these authorities later abandoned this subfamilial division, no longer recognizing any subfamilies with the family Chamaeleonidae. In 2015, however, Glaw reworked the subfamilial division by placing only the genera '' Brookesia'' and '' Palleon'' within the Brookesiinae subfamily, with all other genera being placed in Chamaeleoninae. Classification The ten previously recognised genera in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zygodactyl
In biology, dactyly is the arrangement of digits (fingers and toes) on the hands, feet, or sometimes wings of a tetrapod animal. The term is derived from the Greek word () meaning "finger." Sometimes the suffix "-dactylia" is used. The derived adjectives end with "-dactyl" or "-dactylous." As a normal feature Pentadactyly Pentadactyly (from Greek "five") is the condition of having five digits on each limb. It is traditionally believed that all living tetrapods are descended from an ancestor with a pentadactyl limb, although many species have now lost or transformed some or all of their digits by the process of evolution. However, this viewpoint was challenged by Stephen Jay Gould in his 1991 essay "Eight (or Fewer) Little Piggies," where he pointed out polydactyly in early tetrapods and described the specializations of digit reduction. Despite the individual variations listed below, the relationship is to the original five-digit model. In reptiles, the limbs are pentadacty ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brookesiinae
The Family Chamaeleonidae was divided into two subfamilies, Brookesiinae and Chamaeleoninae, by Klaver and Böhme in 1986. Under this classification, Brookesiinae included the genera '' Brookesia'' and ''Rhampholeon'', as well as the genera later split off from them ('' Palleon'' and '' Rieppeleon''). The Brookesiinae are small, often brown in colour, and occur in central Africa and Madagascar. They have terrestrial habits, or may be found in the lower levels of shrubs. Since its erection in 1986, however, the validity of this subfamily designation has been the subject of much debate, although most phylogenetic studies support the notion that the pygmy chameleons of the subfamily Brookesiinae are not a monophyletic In biological cladistics for the classification of organisms, monophyly is the condition of a taxonomic grouping being a clade – that is, a grouping of organisms which meets these criteria: # the grouping contains its own most recent co ... group. While so ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chamaeleo
''Chamaeleo'' is a genus of chameleons in the Family (biology), family Chamaeleonidae. Most species of the genus ''Chamaeleo'' are found in sub-Saharan Africa, but a few species are also present in northern Africa, southern Europe, and southern Asia east to India and Sri Lanka. Description Species in the genus ''Chamaeleo'' are slow moving, with independently movable eyes, the ability to change skin colouration, a long tongue, usually a prehensile tail, and special leg adaptations for grasping vegetation. Males are generally larger and more colorful than females. Almost all species have a maximum snout-vent length (SVL) between . Behavior The vast majority of ''Chamaeleo'' species are arboreal and typically found in trees or bushes, but a few species (notably the Namaqua Chameleon) are partially or largely Terrestrial animal, terrestrial. Reproduction The genus ''Chamaeleo'' includes only Oviparity, oviparous species. In captivity With few exceptions, the chameleons most commo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kinyongia
''Kinyongia'' (derived from the group's name in Kiswahili language) is a genus of chameleons found in montane and sub-montane areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and far eastern DR Congo. They are restricted to forests, woodlands and other wooded habitats, and many species have very small geographic ranges. In most species, at least the males have horns or knobs on their noses. (2006). "A review of the genus ''Bradypodion'' (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), with the descriptions of two new genera". ''Zootaxa'' 1363: 23–38. As typical of most chameleons, ''Kinyongia'' are oviparous. They were initially placed in the genus ''Chamaeleo'' and by some authorities subsequently transferred into ''Bradypodion'', but in 2006 they were moved to their own genus, ''Kinyongia''. Species The following 23 species are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org. ''Nota bene'': A Binomial nomenclature, binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bradypodion
''Bradypodion'' (meaning "slow-footed" in Greek) is a genus of chameleons in the family Chamaeleonidae, collectively called South African dwarf chameleons. All species are found in South Africa and most are endemic to this country, but a few can also be found in Eswatini, Lesotho, southernmost Namibia and possibly southernmost Mozambique. They are quite small chameleons where the different species often can be difficult to separate by appearance, although exact location (each species tends to have a rather small distribution) and the intense breeding colours of males are useful for their identification. They are arboreal, but some species are mostly found low in the vegetation. ''Bradypodion'' feed on small invertebrates, especially insects. They rapidly reach sexual maturity, typically at an age between half a year and one year, but sometimes up to two years. Adult males are territorial. It is the only genus of chameleon where females of all species give birth to live youn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brookesia
''Brookesia'' is a genus of chameleons, lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Member species range from small to very small in size, and are known collectively as leaf chameleons (though this common name is also used for species in the genera '' Rieppeleon'' and ''Rhampholeon''). ''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. A significant percentage of the species in the genus were only identified to science within the last three decades, and a number of species that still have not received a scientific name are known to exist. Most inhabit very small ranges in areas that are difficult to access, and due to their small size and secretive nature, they have been relatively poorly studied compared to their larger relatives. ''Brookesia'' are abundant in low-disturbance riparia ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rhampholeon
''Rhampholeon'' (from , 'bird's bill' and , 'lion') is a genus of small chameleons, commonly known as pygmy chameleons or African leaf chameleons, found in East Africa and Central 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. Species The following 25 species are recognized as being valid:"''Rhampholeon'' ". 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 ''Rhampholeon''. References Further reading *George Albert Boulenger, Boulenger GA (1887). ''Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Chamæleontidæ''. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Franci ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
