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Namoroka Leaf Chameleon

Brookesia bonsi

About

Brookesia chameleons diverged from all other living species more than 50 million years ago, long before our ancestors diverged from those of modern baboons, tamarins and capuchin monkeys!

This small chameleon occurs in an area less than 100 km2. It is threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to livestock, slash and burn agriculture and logging.

Unfortunately, these practices occur within the protected area in which this species occurs. However, the physical geography of the national park should prevent widespread alteration of the remaining habitat.

Despite apparent declines in abundance of this species since the 1990s, it is hoped the species persists in the remaining suitable habitat. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List and is included in national Malagasy legislation protecting it from collection from the wild. All species in the genus Brookesia are listed on CITES.

  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Chamaeleonidae
  • Trend: decreasing

EDGE Score

EDGE Score: 5.49 (?)
ED Score: 14.120 (?)
GE / IUCN Red List (?)
Not Evaluated Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct

Distribution

This chameleon is endemic to Namoroka in the northwest of Madagascar.

Habitat and Ecology

This species requires dry deciduous forest on limestone outcrops. Little is known of its ecology.

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