Swartberg dwarf chameleon

The Swartberg dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion atromontanum) is a species of chameleon endemic to South Africa.[2]

Swartberg dwarf chameleon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Bradypodion
Species:
B. atromontanum
Binomial name
Bradypodion atromontanum
Branch, Tolley and Tilbury, 2006[1]

Taxonomy

For many years a dwarf chameleon of undetermined taxonomic status was known from the Swartberg area. A subsequent phylogenetic study resulted in its description as a new species. Morphologically it can be confused with B. gutturale but the two species are allopatric.[1]

Description

It is a small chameleon not exceeding 12 cm. It is usually a pale yellow/brown with greenish hues.[3]

Distribution

It is endemic to the Swartberg mountains, Western Cape, South Africa.[2] It occurs in the Swartberg Nature Reserve.[1]It is also found at Groot Swartberg.[4]

Habitat

Swartberg dwarf chameleon is arboreal and inhabits mountain fynbos habitat.[1]

References
  1. Branch, William R.; Tolley, Krystal A.; Tilbury, Colin R. (2006). "A new dwarf chameleon (Sauria: Bradypodion Fitzinger, 1843) from the Cape Fold Mountains, South Africa". African Journal of Herpetology. 55 (2): 123–141. doi:10.1080/21564574.2006.9635545.
  2. Bradypodion atromontanum at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 September 2020.
  3. "Swartberg Dwarf Chameleon - Bradypodion atromontanum". Tyrone Ping. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  4. "Swartberg Dwarf Chameleon - Bradypodion atromontanum". Tyrone Ping. Retrieved 2020-11-18.


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