Roost site characteristics of sympatric dwarf chameleons (genus Brookesia) from western Madagascar

Fideline, Hantalalaina Elisoa; Andriantsimanarilafy, Raphali Rodlis; Rakotondravony, Daniel; Randrianantoandro, J. Christian; Randrianavelona, Roma; Jenkins, Richard K. B.

doi:10.1163/156853807782152480

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…For example, small chameleon species are known to outperform larger species during ballistic tongue projection 36 , but none of the miniaturized Brookesia species has yet been studied in this respect. Also, studies on the microhabitat requirements and ecology of Brookesia species are scarce and largely restricted to the larger Brookesia species 37,38 , so that the behavioural and ecological consequences of the extreme miniaturization of Evoluticauda species remain completely unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons

Glaw

Köhler

Hawlitschek

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Evolutionary reduction of adult body size (miniaturization) has profound consequences for organismal biology and is an important subject of evolutionary research. Based on two individuals we describe a new, extremely miniaturized chameleon, which may be the world’s smallest reptile species. The male holotype of Brookesia nana sp. nov. has a snout–vent length of 13.5 mm (total length 21.6 mm) and has large, apparently fully developed hemipenes, making it apparently the smallest mature male amniote ever recorded. The female paratype measures 19.2 mm snout–vent length (total length 28.9 mm) and a micro-CT scan revealed developing eggs in the body cavity, likewise indicating sexual maturity. The new chameleon is only known from a degraded montane rainforest in northern Madagascar and might be threatened by extinction. Molecular phylogenetic analyses place it as sister to B. karchei, the largest species in the clade of miniaturized Brookesia species, for which we resurrect Evoluticauda Angel, 1942 as subgenus name. The genetic divergence of B. nana sp. nov. is rather strong (9.9‒14.9% to all other Evoluticauda species in the 16S rRNA gene). A comparative study of genital length in Malagasy chameleons revealed a tendency for the smallest chameleons to have the relatively largest hemipenes, which might be a consequence of a reversed sexual size dimorphism with males substantially smaller than females in the smallest species. The miniaturized males may need larger hemipenes to enable a better mechanical fit with female genitals during copulation. Comprehensive studies of female genitalia are needed to test this hypothesis and to better understand the evolution of genitalia in reptiles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons

Glaw

Köhler

Hawlitschek

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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“…Densities of Brookesia species in the eastern humid forests are also higher than large-bodied Calumma species (Jenkins et al, 1999(Jenkins et al, , 2003. Brookesia are usually found near the forest floor and are assumed to forage in, or just above, the leaf litter (Raxworthy, 1991;Raxworthy and Nussbaum, 1995;Glaw et al, 1999;Jenkins et al, 2003;Randrianantoandro et al, 2007) and are therefore members of a different guild to the larger bodied Calumma and Furcifer species that forage mainly on shrubs and trees. Differences in the density of terrestrial and arboreal chameleons may therefore be related to the availability of suitable prey and microhabitats.…”

Section: Chameleon Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat use by chameleons in a deciduous forest in western Madagascar

et al. 2010

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Information on the distribution and abundance of chameleons in Madagascar is required to develop conservation plans that integrate protected area management and sustainable use. We surveyed chameleons in eight sites in deciduous forest in Menabe, western Madagascar. Brookesia brygooi was the most frequently detected species, with a population density of 35 ha–1. Furcifer species were less common, with calculated densities of 7.2 ha–1 (F. labordi), 3.0 ha–1 (Furcifer sp.) and 1.3 ha–1 (F. oustaleti). Chameleon abundance varied according to altitude (B. brygooi) and no clear effect from logging was detected (all species). A lack of information on chameleon diurnal habitat requirements impedes a fuller assessment of the extent to which these species are tolerant to forest degradation. There were interspecific differences in the height of nocturnal perches and additional studies are needed to determine whether these are related to diurnal resource partitioning. Furcifer labordi and Furcifer sp. are of conservation concern because they are restricted to native forests in western Madagascar.

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“…La plupart des informations sur les distributions verticales des caméléons dans les forêts concernent la répartition des hauteurs ou site de repos où ils perchent la nuit. Ces sites de repos varient en fonction de la taille de l'animal pour supporter son poids et de la proximité avec d'autres caméléons (Randrianantoandro et al, 2007a ;Measey et al, 2013). Des observations anecdotiques suggèrent que les caméléons changent de site de repos et de position sur leur perchoir en fonction des conditions météorologiques.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Analyses spatiales de population de Furcifer labordi (Grandidier, 1872) dans la Réserve Spéciale d’Andranomena, Morondava-Madagascar

Djadagna Ahy,

Raselimanana,

René De Roland

et al. 2024

ESJ

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Furcifer labordi est une espèce de caméléons uniquement connue dans quelques localités de la partie occidentale de Madagascar. Son aire de distribution est restreinte entre les fleuves Tsiribihina et Fiherenana. Des investigations ont été menées dans les habitats proche et loin de cours d’eau, à la lisière et l’intérieur de la forêt et dans la forêt relativement intacte et celle en régénération. La méthode Distance sampling a été utilisée pour échantillonner les caméléons. Les prédateurs ont été recensés suivant les lignes de transect. Des fèces des caméléons ont été collectés et analysés au laboratoire. Les données ont été arrangées sur Excel et traitées sur le logiciel R. Nos résultats ont révélé que cette espèce distribue uniformément dans les différents types d’habitats. Autrement dit, sa distribution horizontale n’est pas influencée ni par la dégradation de l’habitat, ni par le cours d’eau. La couverture de la canopée et la repartition des plantes selon la hauteur de l’extérieur vers l’intérieur de la forêt sont des paramètres qui influencent cette distribution horizontale. Les oiseaux (six espèces) et les serpents (quatre espèces) prédateurs ne provoquent pas de perturbation sur F. labordi et n’influencent pas sa distribution horizontale. Cette dernière n’est pas aussi influencée par l’abondance en insectes disponibles. La hauteur du perchoir utilisé varie beaucoup, elle n’est pas cependant liée, ni à la classe d’âge ni au sexe. F. labordi ne présente en général aucune préférence particulière quant au choix de plante utilisée comme perchoir. Il en est de même pour la hauteur et les DBH de plantes perchoirs. L’espèce emploie similairement les parties des plantes disponibles et ne présente pas de préférence particulière. Toutes les classes d’âges ont été observées et ne présentent pas de préférence particulière en terme de types d’habitats. Nos résultats suggèrent que la répartition restreinte de cette espèce pourrait être dû à la disparition de son habitat. Furcifer labordi is a species of chameleon only known from a few localities in the western part of Madagascar. Its distribution area is restricted between the Tsiribihina and Fiherenana rivers. Investigations were carried out in habitats near and far from watercourses, at the edge and interior of the forest, and in relatively intact and regenerating forests. The Distance sampling method was used to sample chameleons. Predators were recorded along the transect lines. Chameleon feces were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The data were arranged in Excel and processed on R software. Our results revealed that this species distributes uniformly in different types of habitats. In other words, its horizontal distribution is not influenced either by habitat degradation or by the watercourse. The canopy cover and the distribution of plants according to height from the outside to the inside of the forest are parameters that influence this horizontal distribution. Predatory birds (six species) and snakes (four species) do not cause disturbance to F. labordi and do not influence its horizontal distribution. The latter is not as influenced by the abundance of available insects. The height of the perch used varies greatly, but it is not linked to age class, or sex. F. labordi generally shows no particular preference regarding the choice of the plant used as a perch. The same goes for the height and DBH of perching plants. The species uses available plant parts similarly and does not show any particular preference. All age classes were observed and do not show any particular preference in terms of habitat types. Our results suggest that the restricted distribution of this species could be due to the disappearance of its habitat.

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Roost site characteristics of sympatric dwarf chameleons (genus Brookesia) from western Madagascar

Cited by 9 publications

References 12 publications

Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons

Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons

Habitat use by chameleons in a deciduous forest in western Madagascar

Analyses spatiales de population de Furcifer labordi (Grandidier, 1872) dans la Réserve Spéciale d’Andranomena, Morondava-Madagascar

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