Rhampholeon GÜNTHER, 1874

The genus Rhampholeon GÜNTHER, 1874 

consists currently of 30 species:

Interesting info on Rhampholeon

Michele Menegon, John V. Lyakurwa, Simon P. Loader and Krystal A. Tolley. 2022. Cryptic Diversity in Pygmy Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae: Rhampholeon) of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, with Description of Six New Species. Acta Herpetologica. 17(2; 85-113. 

DOI: 10.36253/a_h-12978twitter.com/IUCNchameleons/status/1608487507808735237

AbstractPrevious molecular phylogenetic studies of pygmy chameleons have identified several cases of undescribed cryptic diversity of species, some of which have remained undescribed due to a lack of morphological information. Here, we combine descriptive morphology with principal component analysis, to quantify the overall morphological variation, and phylogenetic analysis to describe six new species of Rhampholeon from the Eastern Arc Mountains, including populations found in the Udzungwa, Rubeho, Nguru, Ukaguru, and Nguu Mountains. From our study we detected only limited morphometric variation between species. We distinguish the new species using genetics, combined with assessment of morphological features, and their geographical distribution. We highlight the threats to pygmy chameleons in East Africa from habitat change and exporting live specimens for the wildlife trade. Based on our understanding, we note a few species that we consider at risk of decline – mainly based on their narrow distribution and their apparent popularity in the export market. This study also further underlines the extraordinary biological value of the relatively small forest patches (less than 3000 km2) of the Eastern Arc, which contain more species of chameleons than any other area in mainland Africa.

Keywords: Afromontane, biodiversity, East Africa, chameleons, new species, reptiles

Species commented:

   Rhampholeon uluguruensis Tilbury & Emmrich, 1996  Uluguru Pygmy Chameleon

   Rhampholeon moyeri Menegon, Salvidio & Tilbury 2002  Moyer's Pygmy Chameleon

   Rhampholeon beraduccii Mariaux & Tilbury 2006  Beraducci's Pygmy Chameleon

   Rhampholeon acuminatus Mariaux & Tilbury 2006  Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon

Species newly described:

   Rhampholeon colemani from the Uzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve. 

   Rhampholeon sabini from Nguu North Forest Reserve. 

   Rhampholeon rubeho from Mafwomero Forest Reserve in the Rubeho Mountains. 

   Rhampholeon nicolai from Mamiwa Kisara North Forest Reserve in the Ukaguru Mountains.

   Rhampholeon waynelotteri from Kanga Forest Reserve in the Nguru Mountains landscape.

   Rhampholeon princeeai from Mkingu Nature Reserve in the Nguru Mountains.

Daniel F. Hughes, Krystal A. Tolley, Mathias Behangana, Wilber Lukwago, Michele Menegon, J. Maximilian Dehling, Jan Stipala, Colin R. Tilbury, Arshad M. Khan and Chifundera Kusamba. 2018. Cryptic Diversity in Rhampholeon boulengeri (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), A Pygmy Chameleon from the Albertine Rift Biodiversity Hotspot. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 122; 125-141. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.015