Brookesia decaryi

Brookesia decaryi is a species of chameleon, which is endemic to Madagascar, and is ranked as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[1] It was initially described in 1939 by Fernand Angel.[3] B. decaryi is commonly known as Decary's leaf chameleon,[1] spiny leaf chameleon,[4] or Decary's pygmy chameleon.[3][5]

Brookesia decaryi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Brookesia
Species:
B. decaryi
Binomial name
Brookesia decaryi
Angel, 1939[2]

Etymology

The specific name, decaryi, is in honor of French botanist Raymond Decary.[5]

Geographic range

Brookesia decaryi can only be found on the island of Madagascar in Ankarafantsika National Park (Parc National d'Ankarafantsika), northwest Madagascar.[1]

Habitat

B. decaryi can only be found at elevations under 200 m (660 ft) above sea level. The species can be found over an area of 1,300 km2 (500 sq mi) – the size of the Parc National d'Ankarafantsika – in dry forest.[1]

Reproduction

Details about the reproduction of B. decaryi are unknown, although clutch sizes between two and five eggs have previously been found.[1]

Behavior

B. decaryi is diurnal (sleeps at night, awake in the day) and sleeps at a mean height of 0.17 metres (0.56 ft), mainly on small plants, logs (fallen), and small trees.

Conservation status

B. decaryi is classed as endangered by the IUCN, and the population might be decreasing. It is protected under the laws of Malagasy (Madagascar), although it can be collected, if authorised. However, collection in the Parc National d'Ankarafantsika is not permitted. The spiny leaf chameleon is threatened by wood harvesting, fires, farming, and ranching.[1][6][7]

References
  1. Jenkins, R.K.B.; et al. (2011). "Brookesia decaryi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172885A6935659. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  2. Angel, F. (1939). "Lézards, Scincidé et Chamaeleontidé nouveaux de Madagascar, des collections R. Decary". Bulletin du Muséum d'Histoire naturelle (in French). 10: 574–577. (Brookesia decaryi, new species, p. 575).
  3. Brookesia decaryi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 October 2020.
  4. "Spiny Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia decaryi ), Madagascar , Camouflage c/o Animals Animals - Earth Scenes". Animalsprints.com. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
  5. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Brookesia decaryi, p. 67).
  6. "Facts about Decary's Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia decaryi ) - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life. Eol.org. 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
  7. Ramanamanjato J-B, Rabibisoa N (2002) "Evaluation rapide de la diversité biologique de reptiles et amphibians de la Reserve Naturelle Integrale d'Ankarafantsika ". In: Alosno LE, Schulenberg T, Radilofe S, Missa O (editors) (2002). A Biological Assessment of the Reserve Naturelle Integrale d'Ankarafantsika. Washington, District of Columbia: Conservation International. (in French).
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