Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon
Encyclopedia
The Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates), also known under the longer common name of KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon, is a chameleon
native to woodland habitat
in the Midlands area of the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Its length is 19 cm (7.6 in). They have bulbous scales of varying colors scattered around the body. Their head crests are yellow, with white skin on their throat. Males have a short orange stripe around the middle of their body and red spotted eyelids, whereas females are brown with smaller helmet-like protrusions.
This is a very close relative of the Black-headed Dwarf Chameleon (B. melanocephalum), which looks very different due to adptation to low forest and fynbos
on the slopes and cliffs seawards from B. thamnobates range. It was hypothesized that B. melanocephalum and B. thamnobates may be phenotypically plastic populations of the same species, however juveniles of both species were raised under identical conditions and developed into what was phenotypically expected of their original populations, indicating that they are separate species.
An undescribed dwarf chameleon population from Gilboa and Karkloof Forest
s in KwaZulu-Natal seems closely related to both B. melanocephalum and B. thamnobates. It appears as if they radiated quite recently from a common ancestor, which probably was much like the Midlands form in appearance (as this is the most plesiomorphic of them). Indeed, there is indication of ongoing gene flow
or incomplete lineage sorting between these populations. Thus it is not certain whether they constitute one, three, or even more species, and more research is required.
The range of the Midlands and Gilboa Forest populations and that of the Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon (B. dracomontanum
) require delimitation as they appear to touch in eastern Lesotho
and adjacent South Africa. The Drakensberg species is not closely related to the KwaZulu-Natal group however, and there seems to be no significant gene flow between them.
The Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon is classified as a Near Threatened
species by the IUCN. It is used in local folk medicine
.
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...
native to woodland habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
in the Midlands area of the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Its length is 19 cm (7.6 in). They have bulbous scales of varying colors scattered around the body. Their head crests are yellow, with white skin on their throat. Males have a short orange stripe around the middle of their body and red spotted eyelids, whereas females are brown with smaller helmet-like protrusions.
This is a very close relative of the Black-headed Dwarf Chameleon (B. melanocephalum), which looks very different due to adptation to low forest and fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
on the slopes and cliffs seawards from B. thamnobates range. It was hypothesized that B. melanocephalum and B. thamnobates may be phenotypically plastic populations of the same species, however juveniles of both species were raised under identical conditions and developed into what was phenotypically expected of their original populations, indicating that they are separate species.
An undescribed dwarf chameleon population from Gilboa and Karkloof Forest
Karkloof Forest
The Karkloof Forest is situated in the Karkloof Nature Reserve, 22 km north of Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.This is a large Mistbelt Forest containing Yellowwoods and Stinkwood .Wildlife includes Samango monkey, Blue Duiker and Bushbuck...
s in KwaZulu-Natal seems closely related to both B. melanocephalum and B. thamnobates. It appears as if they radiated quite recently from a common ancestor, which probably was much like the Midlands form in appearance (as this is the most plesiomorphic of them). Indeed, there is indication of ongoing gene flow
Gene flow
In population genetics, gene flow is the transfer of alleles of genes from one population to another.Migration into or out of a population may be responsible for a marked change in allele frequencies...
or incomplete lineage sorting between these populations. Thus it is not certain whether they constitute one, three, or even more species, and more research is required.
The range of the Midlands and Gilboa Forest populations and that of the Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon (B. dracomontanum
Bradypodion dracomontanum
The Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon occurs in the Drakensberg, South Africa. It may be composed of two species and a common name for the bright green individuals in the southern part of the distribution has been proposed as the Emerald Dwarf Chameleon.-Bibliography:* Tolley, K. and Burger, M. 2007....
) require delimitation as they appear to touch in eastern Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
and adjacent South Africa. The Drakensberg species is not closely related to the KwaZulu-Natal group however, and there seems to be no significant gene flow between them.
The Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon is classified as a Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
species by the IUCN. It is used in local folk medicine
Folk medicine
-Description:Refers to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.All cultures and societies...
.
