Robertson Dwarf Chameleon
Encyclopedia
The Robertson Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion gutturale) is a chameleon
in the genus Bradypodion
. It is endemic to South Africa
, found only in a limited range in the south-central region of South Africa's Western Cape province. It prefers the fynbos
vegetation, unlike some other species of dwarf chameleon that are forest dwellers. DNA evidence suggests that the Robertson may have diverged from the forest-dwellers several million years ago, coinciding with the retreat of the forests and the spread of fynbos.
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...
in the genus Bradypodion
Bradypodion
Bradypodion is one of six genera of chameleons within the "true" or "typical" chameleons . They are native to southern Africa, and are sometimes collectively called South African dwarf chameleons...
. It is endemic to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, found only in a limited range in the south-central region of South Africa's Western Cape province. It prefers the 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...
vegetation, unlike some other species of dwarf chameleon that are forest dwellers. DNA evidence suggests that the Robertson may have diverged from the forest-dwellers several million years ago, coinciding with the retreat of the forests and the spread of fynbos.
Sources
- Tolley K. and Burger M. 2007. Chameleons of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town
- Tolley, K.A. et al. 2006. Biogeographic patterns and phylogeography of dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion) in an African biodiversity hotspot. Molecular Ecology 15:781-793.
- The Dwarf Chameleon Project at Wildcliff Nature Reserve
