Spectral pygmy chameleon: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Species of lizard}}

{{Taxobox

{{More footnotes|date=August 2015}}

| color = pink

{{Speciesbox

| name = ''Rhampholeon''

| regnumstatus = [[Animal]]iaLC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]

| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal | author = Mariaux, J. | author2 = LeBreton, M. | name-list-style = amp | title = ''Rhampholeon spectrum'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2010 | page = e.T176322A7218445 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2010 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/176322/0 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T176322A7218445.en | access-date = 15 January 2018| doi-access = free }}</ref>

| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]

| name = Spectral pygmy chameleon

| ordo = [[Squamata]]

| image = Cameroon Stumptail Chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) (7668008064).jpg

| subordo = [[Sauria]]

| nameimage_caption = ''Rhampholeon spectrum''

| familia = [[Chamaeleonidae]]

| genus = '''''Rhampholeon'''''

| species = '''''R. spectrum'''''

| authority = [[Reinhold Wilhelm Buchholz|Buchholz]], 1874

| binomialrange_map = ''Rhampholeon spectrum'' distribution.png

| binomial_authority = Buchholz, 1874

| synonyms = ''Chamaeleo spectrum'' <small>Buchholz, 1874</small><br />

''Brookesia spectrum'' <small>Loveridge, 1951</small>

<br />

''Rhampholeon affinis'' <small>[[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner]], 1911</small>

}}

The '''Spectralspectral Pygmypygmy Chameleonchameleon''' ('''''Rhampholeon spectrum'''''), also known as ''' western pygmy chameleon''' or '''Cameroon stumptail chameleon''',<ref name=IUCN/> is one of the so-called "dwarf chameleons", akaor "leaf" chameleons", from mainland [[Africa]].

==Distribution==

They are small, not exceeding 4" (10 cm), with a very short, albeit prehensile, tail. They tend to frequent the ground and low shrubbery in forested areas.

The exact distribution differs between sources, but includes at least Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon,<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=RDB/> and may include the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo,<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Rhampholeon |species=spectrum |accessdate=28 August 2015}}</ref> and Nigeria.<ref name=IUCN/>

==Description==

They are capable of color change, but generally in somber shades of tan to gray. They have a ventral stripe from the eye to above the base of the tail which, however, is not always displayed in lieu of plain ground colors. They are capable of quite striking coloration in the form of streaks and blotches.

They are small, not exceeding {{convert|4|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=flip}}, with very short, albeit prehensile, tails. They tend to frequent the ground and low shrubbery in forested areas.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Matthee | first1 = C. A. | last2 = Tilbury | first2 = C. R. | last3 = Townsend | first3 = T. | doi = 10.1098/rspb.2004.2806 | title = A phylogenetic review of the African leaf chameleons: genus ''Rhampholeon'' (Chamaeleonidae): the role of vicariance and climate change in speciation | journal = Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences | volume = 271 | issue = 1551 | pages = 1967–75 | year = 2004 | pmid = 15347522| pmc = 1691807}}</ref>

TheyThis arespecies is capable of color change, but generally in somber shades of tan to gray. TheyIt havealso has a ventral stripe from the eye to above the base of the tail which, however, is not always displayed in lieu of plain ground colors. TheyIt areis capable of quite striking coloration in the form of streaks and blotches.

In spite of their small size, plain color, and often terrestrial habits, they are otherwise very much like their larger chameleon cousins in possessing independently rotating eye sockets, opposable digits on the front and back feet, and a projectile tongue.

In spite of their small size, plain color, and often terrestrial habits, they are otherwise very much like theirthe larger chameleon cousinschameleons in possessing independently rotating eye sockets, opposable digits on the front and back feet, and a projectile tonguetongues. Males may be differentiated from females by their wider tail bases.

The spectrum seems to prefer cooler temperatures, e.g. room temperature, and doesn't seem to require direct sun or a basking area, although bright shade is appreciated. They don't use water pans and should be misted directly once or twice a day, and their habitat should be fairly moist as well. They eat small [[invertebrate]]s, such as [[pinhead cricket]]s or [[Tephritidae|fruit flies]].

==Behavior==

They are extremely sedentary, but relatively easy to care for, given the above parameters, and require little space: a 5 to 10 gallon enclosure is large enough for one individual. Small green plants, such as [[fern]]s, should be provided for climbing and humidification, although dry twigs are also used. Although said to be non-territorial (unlike other chameleons), it is suggested to keep them separately.

They are extremely sedentary, and not territorial (unlike other chameleons). They eat small [[invertebrate]]s. Their reproductive habits are poorly known. These animals seem to prefer cooler temperatures.

==References==

Males may be differentiated from females by the wider tail base. Their reproductive habits are poorly known.

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q732959}}

[[nl:Bladkameleon]]

[[Category:ChameleonsRhampholeon]]

[[Category:ReptilesLizards of Africa]]

[[Category:Reptiles of Cameroon]]

[[Category:Vertebrates of the Central African Republic]]

[[Category:Reptiles of Equatorial Guinea]]

[[Category:Reptiles of Gabon]]

[[Category:Reptiles of West Africa]]

[[Category:Reptiles of the Republic of the Congo]]

[[Category:Reptiles described in 1874]]

[[Category:Taxa named by Reinhold Wilhelm Buchholz]]

{{chameleon-stub}}