Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Infraclass Lepidosauromorpha Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Superorder Lepidosauria | |
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Similar Brookesia bonsi, Brookesia ambreensis, Brookesia therezieni, Brookesia ebenaui, Mount d'Ambre leaf cham | ||
The naturelle leaf chameleon, Brookesia karchei, is a species of chameleon. 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 Brygoo, Blanc, and Domergue in 1970.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, karchei, is in honor of geologist Jean-Paul Karche.
Distribution and habitat
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). 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 m (1,959 ft), and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, because of loss of "quality" forest habitat caused by the extraction of rosewood — richly hued timbers, although the true population of the species has not been determined. The extraction of rosewood is its main threat. 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.
History
This species was initially described by Brygoo, Blanc, and Domergue in 1970 as Brookesia karchei. This name was later referenced by Glaw and Vences in 1994: 240, Necas in 1999: 277, Townsend et al. in 2009, and most recently Glaw et al. in 2012.
Description
The female measures 30.7 mm (1.21 in) in snout-vent length, and has a total length of 51.0 mm (2.01 in).