Life history traits, age profile, and conservation of the panther chameleon,Furcifer pardalis(Cuvier 1829), at Nosy Be, NW Madagascar

Abstract

The morphometry, age structure, and abundance of the panther chameleon Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier 1829) were studied at Nosy Be (NW Madagascar). Males were larger and heavier than females (SVL, 138.38 ± 35.94 vs 91.92 ± 18.48 mm; mass, 61.06 ± 39.86 vs 22.62 ± 13.17 g). The age, assessed by skeletochronology, was usually less than one year, with a maximum of 2 years. The density estimate for adult individuals was higher along roads (42.21/ha) than in agricultural habitats far from roads (17.43/ha). Compared to other species of Malagasy chameleons, F. pardalis is infrequent in pristine and close forests, while, like other Furcifer species, it is more closely associated with riverine habitats. The higher concentration of individuals in forest-like bands along roads is explained by the presence of a suitable vegetation band along roads and the similarity of this habitat to the riverine and ecotonal forests preferred by chameleons of the genus Furcifer. The life history traits, high fecundity and short life span indicate that the current collecting rate does not affect the abundance of F. pardalis. Measures of chameleon conservation at Nosy Be should consider the preservation of the anthropogenic forest band.

Population densities and conservation assessments for three species of chameleons in the Toliara region of south-western Madagascar

“…suggested that most F. verrucosus collected for the pet trade are from the Toliara region, indicating that populations in this region may be susceptible to overexploitation. Despite this, we found that the population at Ranobe was denser than that of F. pardalis at Nosy Be, which Andreone et al (2005) concluded was not under immediate threat from over-collection. Our results suggest that when limited to the current harvesting quota, F. verrucosus may not currently be under immediate threat in the Ranobe area.…”

“…3), F. antimena should be of high conservation priority in future protected area plans. Our results add to the growing database of chameleon population densities in Madagascar (e.g., Jenkins et al, 1999;Raxworthy and Nussbaum, 2002;Brady and Griffiths, 2003;Jenkins et al, 2003;Andreone et al, 2005) and represent the first data set for nonrainforest chameleon species.…”

A revision of the chameleon species Chamaeleo pfeili Schleich (Squamata; Chamaeleonidae) with description of a new material of chamaeleonids from the Miocene deposits of southern Germany

“…The species Furcifer pardalis, with a typical length of around 450 mm, lives in the eastern and northern parts of Madagascar in a tropical forest biome. Additionally, it has been introduced to Rénuion and Mauritius (Glaw & Vences 1994, Andreone et al 2005. Calumma globifer is endemic to Madagascar, locally distributed in the eastern rainforest (Brygoo 1971, Glaw & Vences 1994.…”

Madagascan Day Geckos (Phelsuma spp.) Exhibit Differing Responses Along a Gradient of Land-Use Change

“…Much of the primary rainforest on Nosy Be has been cleared for agricultural crops (including rice, sugar cane, coffee, ylang-ylang, and fruits), timber harvesting, zebu grazing, roads, and tourism infrastructure (Andreone et al, 2003(Andreone et al, , 2005. Patches of remnant forest still persist along creek lines and roadsides (Andreone et al, 2005 …”

“…Measuring 25,200 ha, Nosy Be is situated within the Sambirano Domain, a transitional zone between the dry, deciduous forest of the west and the wet rainforest of the east (Andreone et al, 2003;van Heygen, 2004). It is characterized by a humid, tropical climate and vegetation similar to the lowland rainforests of the mainland (Andreone, Guarino, & Randrianirina, 2005;Goodman & Benstead, 2003). Sambirano rainforests have a closed canopy 25 to 30 m in height, with few emergent trees (White, 1983).…”