Introduction to the identification of chameleons Based on CITES Identification Manual sheets...

Introduction to the identification of chameleons

Based on CITES Identification Manual sheets submitted by the Scientific Authority of Germany

Developed by the CITES Secretariat

GreenCustoms Knowledge Series No. 16

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Questions to answer

• What are chameleons?

• Are chameleons popular in trade?

• How can chameleons be identified?

• How variable are they in shape and color?

• What identification resources are available?

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Chameleons

• The family Chamaeleonidae is a distinctive and highly specialized group of lizards, distinguished by their clamp-like feet, separately mobile eyes, and long tongues

• Many have a prehensile tail, and some are able to change their color

• Some 160 species range from Africa, Madagascar, Spain and Portugal, across south Asia, to Sri Lanka, occurring in warm habitats from rain forest to desert conditions

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Chameleons

• Some (but not all) chameleon species are able to change their skin colors, which can include pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, yellow and turquoise

• Chameleons use their color-changing ability to blend in with their surroundings, to express their physiological condition and as a social indicator to other chameleons

Chamaeleo johnstoni

Chamaeleo wiedersheimi

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Chameleons

• The Antsingy Leaf Chameleon Brookesia perarmata is included in Appendix I of CITES

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Chameleons

• Other species of the genus Brookesia, and all species of the genera Bradypodion spp., Calumma spp., Chamaeleo spp. and Furcifer spp. are included in Appendix II

• Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with maximum total length varying from 3.4 cm to 68.5 cm

• Many have head or facial ornamentation, and males are typically much more ornamented than the female chameleons

Furcifer labordi

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Chameleons in trade

• Chameleons are popular pets and are sought by collectors; 2007-2008 trade figures suggest the following species are the most frequently traded

– Bradypodion fischeri and B. tavetanum (from Tanzania)

– Furcifer lateralis, F, pardalis and F. verrucosus (Madagascar)

– Chamaeleo calyptratus, C. chamaeleon (Jordan)

– Chamaeleo bitaeniatus, C. deremensis, C. dilepis, C. fuelleborni, C. hoehnelli, C. jacksonii, C. melleri, C. rudis, and C. werneri (from East Africa)

– Chamaeleo gracilis (from East and West Africa)

– Chamaeleo senegalensis (from West Africa)

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Chameleons in trade

• In addition, the 2009 voluntary export quotas include significant numbers of Chamaeleo affinis, C. africanus, C. calcaricarens, C. ellioti and Furcifer oustaleti

• Not all trade is in wild-taken specimens and the 2009 quotas indicate a portion of the trade is in ranched specimens and first-generation captive-born specimens

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Identification of chameleons

• Even for reptile specialists, many chameleon species are not easy to identify

– There are often striking sexual differences in morphology and coloration of a species

– External diagnostic characters between species can be nearly absent

– In some species, there is significant geographical variation in morphology and coloration

– The ability of individuals to change color rapidly makes it difficult to use color pattern for identification

– The scientific knowledge on chameleons is still rather poor

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Identification of chameleons

• To be able to identify chameleons, you have to be aware of the main distinguishing morphological characteristics

• You cannot depend on color!

Chamaeleo tempeli

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Main distinguishing features of chameleons (1)

1. Rostral crest2. Lateral crest3. Temporal crest4. Occipital lobes5. Gular crest6. Ventral crest7. Dorsal crest composed

of single scales, cones or tubercles8. Rows of enlarged scales or

tubercles along the flanks9. Tarsal spur

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Main distinguishing features of chameleons (2)

1. Paired rostral appendages2. Dorsal crest of a fin-like, undulated sail3. Fin-like, undulated sail on tail

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Examples of distinguishing features of chameleons

1. Long annulated rostral horn2. Long annulated pre-orbital horn3. Lateral crest4. Parietal crest5. Small occipital lobes, divided by a notch6. Temporal crest7. Gular crest absent

Chamaeleo oweni

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1. Parietal crest 2. Lateral crest 3. Rostral crest

1. Lateral crest2. Large occipital lobes3. Gular crest composed of

low conical tubercles

Furcifer lateralis, female

Chamaeleo dilepis

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1. Parietal crest 2. Small, elongate occipital lobes

1. Large, scaled gular lobes

Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer

Chamaeleo eisentrauti

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1. Single scaled rostral appendage (dorsal view)

1. Paired scaled rostral appendage (dorsal view)2. Rostral crest

Calumma nasuta (male)

Furcifer minor (male)

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Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

Furcifer lateralis (male)

Furcifer lateralis (female)

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Furcifer pardalis (male)

Furcifer pardalis (female)


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Furcifer verrucosus (male)

Furcifer verrucosus (female)


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Chamaeleo ellioti

Furcifer oustaleti (male)


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Chamaeleo calyptratus (male)

Chamaeleo chamaeleon


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Chamaeleo bitaeniatus

Chamaeleo deremensis(female)


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Chamaeleo dilepis

Chamaeleo fuelleborni (male)


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Chamaeleo melleri

Chamaeleo rudis


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Chamaeleo werneri (male)

Chamaeleo werneri (female)


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Chamaeleo gracilis

Chamaeleo senegalensis


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Chamaeleo affinis

Chamaeleo africanus (male)


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Example of variations in morphology within a Genus - Bradypodion spp.

• Bradypodion dracomontanum

• Bradypodion nemorale

• Bradypodion oxyrhinum

• Bradypodion setaroi

• Bradypodion thamnobates

• Bradypodion adolfifriderici

• Bradypodion carpenteri

• Bradypodion fischeri

• Bradypodion tavetanum

• Bradypodion uthmoelleri

• Bradypodion mlanjensis

• Bradypodion pumilum

• Bradypodion spinosum

• Bradypodion tenue

• Bradypodion xenorhinum

• South African dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion spp.) are native to isolated locations in East/Southern Africa

(Notice the different morphological characteristics within the same Genus...)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion dracomontanum (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion nemorale

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion setaroi (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion thamnobates(female)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion carpenteri (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion carpenteri (female)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion adolfifriderici (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion fischeri fischeri (male)

B. fischeri is popular in trade

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion fischeri multituberculatum (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion fischeri excubitor (female)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion tavetanum (male)

B. tavetanum is popular in trade

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion mlanjensis

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion pumilum pumilum (female)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion pumilum karrooicum (female)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion pumilum gutturale (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion pumilum damaranum

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion pumilum transvaalense

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion spinosum (female)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion tenue

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion xenorhinum (male)

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Bradypodion spp.

Bradypodion xenorhinum (female)

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Identification resources

• The CITES online Identification Manual is a good source of identification materials on chameleons

– Names

– Characteristics

– Distribution

– Similar species

www.cites.orgFurcifer minor

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Identification resources

• However, to be able to use any identification resources (such as the CITES Identification Manual or other guides), you must use the morphological characteristics (size, shape of head, presence of crests, lobes horns etc.) Chamaeleo

oweni

Furcifer rhinoceratus

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Summary

• Chameleon species are not easy to identify

• Between sexes there may be striking differences in morphology and coloration

• Within a genus there can be much variation in morphology and coloration

• Within a species there may be significant geographical variation in morphology and coloration

• Color patterns are often of no help for identification, and morphological characteristics must be used

• A good reference is the CITES online Identification Guide

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CITES SecretariatGeneva

www.cites.org

Introduction to the identification of chameleons Based on CITES Identification Manual sheets...

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