Archaius tigris
Encyclopedia
The Seychelles Tiger Chameleon, Archaius tigris
, is presently the only species in the resurrected genus
Archaius, which has been established in 1865. Initially placed into Chamaeleo
, it was for some time moved to the genus
Calumma
by some (Klaver & Böhme, 1986). It is an endangered species of chameleon
, found only on the Seychelles
islands of Mahé
, Silhouette
and Praslin
.
as well as on Appendix II of CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), with its distribution limited to 45km. A 2006 survey estimated the remaining global population to be just under 2,000 individuals.
Reproduction on the island of Mahé is associated with introduced pineapple plants, in which the tiger chameleon lays its eggs. These plants are not used on Silhouette or Praslin, and the natural nesting sites remain unknown, although the endemic Pandanus and palms are thought to be used. In captivity, clutches contain between five and twelve eggs.
The chameleon and its habitat are protected within the Morne Seychelles (Mahé) and Praslin National Parks. Alien plant control on Praslin and habitat restoration programmes on Silhouette are being undertaken to help contain threats to this species. The main population occurs on Silhouette, where it has been suggested that forested areas containing populations should be given legal protection by being included in a new protected area.
Archaius tigris
The Seychelles Tiger Chameleon, Archaius tigris, is presently the only species in the resurrected genus Archaius, which has been established in 1865. Initially placed into Chamaeleo, it was for some time moved to the genus Calumma by some...
, is presently the only species in the resurrected genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Archaius, which has been established in 1865. Initially placed into Chamaeleo
Chamaeleo
Chamaeleo is a genus of chameleons found primarily in the mainland of sub-saharan Africa, but a few species are also present in northern Africa, southern Europe and southern Asia east to India and Sri Lanka. They are slow moving with independently movable eyes, the ability to change skin...
, it was for some time moved to the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Calumma
Calumma
Calumma is a genus of chameleons where all species are endemic to Madagascar. Following CITES, it is now illegal to import any of the species from their native countries.-Classification of genus Calumma:* Calumma amber...
by some (Klaver & Böhme, 1986). It is an endangered species of chameleon
Chameleon
Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. They are distinguished by their parrot-like zygodactylous feet, their separately mobile and stereoscopic eyes, their very long, highly modified, and rapidly extrudable tongues, their swaying gait, the possession by many of a...
, found only on the Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
islands of Mahé
Mahé, Seychelles
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population...
, Silhouette
Silhouette Island
Silhouette Island lies 20 km northwest of Mahé in the Seychelles. It is the third largest island in the Seychelles. It has an area of 20 km² and has a population of 135, mostly workers on the island. The main settlement is La Passe, where there is a hotel for visitors to Silhouette...
and Praslin
Praslin
Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, lying 44 km north east of Mahé. Praslin has a population of around 6,500 people and comprises two administrative districts; Baie Sainte Anne and Grand' Anse . The main settlements are the Baie Ste Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand' Anse.It was...
.
Endangered status
It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red ListIUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
as well as on Appendix II of CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), with its distribution limited to 45km. A 2006 survey estimated the remaining global population to be just under 2,000 individuals.
Description
With a length of just 16 centimetres, this species is relatively small for a chameleon. Body colour varies from inconspicuous light-grey to a bold yellow-orange, or even green or dark brown, usually with scattered black spots and a pale grey chin and throat. One of the tiger chameleon’s most distinctive features, however, is the pointed projection on its chin, which can be up to 3 millimetres long and sits amongst a comb of smaller, spiky outgrowths that border the underside of the chin.Habitat and Distribution
The tiger chameleon is endemic to the Seychelles, occurring only on the islands of Mahé, Silhouette and Praslin. Being an arboreal species, it is found in primary tropical forest, secondary forest where there is high plant diversity, and upland rural gardens, from sea level to 550 metres.Behaviour and Breeding
After a short warming up phase in the morning, this chameleon goes in search of insects and other small animals on which to feed. Like all chameleons, this species hunts by firing its elongated sticky tongue at prey with incredible speed. The tongue is tipped in a deadly suction pad capable of ensnaring prey that an ordinary reptile would never hope to hold .Reproduction on the island of Mahé is associated with introduced pineapple plants, in which the tiger chameleon lays its eggs. These plants are not used on Silhouette or Praslin, and the natural nesting sites remain unknown, although the endemic Pandanus and palms are thought to be used. In captivity, clutches contain between five and twelve eggs.
Threats and conservation
As an island endemic with a restricted range of just three small islands, and a population thought to number only 2,000 individuals, the tiger chameleon is particularly vulnerable to changes within its habitat. On the islands of Mahé and Praslin in particular it is threatened by habitat degradation caused by introduced alien plants, such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum).The chameleon and its habitat are protected within the Morne Seychelles (Mahé) and Praslin National Parks. Alien plant control on Praslin and habitat restoration programmes on Silhouette are being undertaken to help contain threats to this species. The main population occurs on Silhouette, where it has been suggested that forested areas containing populations should be given legal protection by being included in a new protected area.