Introduction to the identification of chameleons Based on CITES Identification Manual sheets submitted by the Scientific Authority of Germany Developed by the CITES Secretariat GreenCustoms Knowledge Series No. 16

2 Questions to answer What are chameleons? Are chameleons popular in trade? How can chameleons be identified? How variable are they in shape and color? What identification resources are available?

3 Chameleons The family Chamaeleonidae is a distinctive and highly specialized group of lizards, distinguished by their clamp- like feet, separately mobile eyes, and long tongues Many have a prehensile tail, and some are able to change their color Some 160 species range from Africa, Madagascar, Spain and Portugal, across south Asia, to Sri Lanka, occurring in warm habitats from rain forest to desert conditions

4 Chameleons Some (but not all) chameleon species are able to change their skin colors, which can include pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, yellow and turquoise Chameleons use their color-changing ability to blend in with their surroundings, to express their physiological condition and as a social indicator to other chameleons Chamaeleo johnstoni Chamaeleo wiedersheimi

5 Chameleons The Antsingy Leaf Chameleon Brookesia perarmata is included in Appendix I of CITES

6 Chameleons Other species of the genus Brookesia, and all species of the genera Bradypodion spp., Calumma spp., Chamaeleo spp. and Furcifer spp. are included in Appendix II Chameleons vary greatly in size and body structure, with maximum total length varying from 3.4 cm to 68.5 cm Many have head or facial ornamentation, and males are typically much more ornamented than the female chameleons Furcifer labordi

7 Chameleons in trade Chameleons are popular pets and are sought by collectors; trade figures suggest the following species are the most frequently traded –Bradypodion fischeri and B. tavetanum (from Tanzania) –Furcifer lateralis, F, pardalis and F. verrucosus (Madagascar) –Chamaeleo calyptratus, C. chamaeleon (Jordan) –Chamaeleo bitaeniatus, C. deremensis, C. dilepis, C. fuelleborni, C. hoehnelli, C. jacksonii, C. melleri, C. rudis, and C. werneri (from East Africa) –Chamaeleo gracilis (from East and West Africa) –Chamaeleo senegalensis (from West Africa)

8 Chameleons in trade In addition, the 2009 voluntary export quotas include significant numbers of Chamaeleo affinis, C. africanus, C. calcaricarens, C. ellioti and Furcifer oustaleti Not all trade is in wild-taken specimens and the 2009 quotas indicate a portion of the trade is in ranched specimens and first-generation captive-born specimens

9 Identification of chameleons Even for reptile specialists, many chameleon species are not easy to identify –There are often striking sexual differences in morphology and coloration of a species –External diagnostic characters between species can be nearly absent –In some species, there is significant geographical variation in morphology and coloration –The ability of individuals to change color rapidly makes it difficult to use color pattern for identification –The scientific knowledge on chameleons is still rather poor

10 Identification of chameleons To be able to identify chameleons, you have to be aware of the main distinguishing morphological characteristics You cannot depend on color! Chamaeleo tempeli

11 Main distinguishing features of chameleons (1) 1.Rostral crest 2.Lateral crest 3.Temporal crest 4.Occipital lobes 5.Gular crest 6.Ventral crest 7.Dorsal crest composed of single scales, cones or tubercles 8.Rows of enlarged scales or tubercles along the flanks 9.Tarsal spur

12 Main distinguishing features of chameleons (2) 1.Paired rostral appendages 2.Dorsal crest of a fin-like, undulated sail 3.Fin-like, undulated sail on tail

13 Examples of distinguishing features of chameleons 1.Long annulated rostral horn 2.Long annulated pre-orbital horn 3.Lateral crest 4.Parietal crest 5.Small occipital lobes, divided by a notch 6.Temporal crest 7.Gular crest absent Chamaeleo oweni

14 Examples of distinguishing features of chameleons 1.Parietal crest 2.Lateral crest 3.Rostral crest 1.Lateral crest 2.Large occipital lobes 3.Gular crest composed of low conical tubercles Furcifer lateralis, female Chamaeleo dilepis

15 Examples of distinguishing features of chameleons 1.Parietal crest 2.Small, elongate occipital lobes 1.Large, scaled gular lobes Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer Chamaeleo eisentrauti

16 Examples of distinguishing features of chameleons 1.Single scaled rostral appendage (dorsal view) 1.Paired scaled rostral appendage (dorsal view) 2.Rostral crest Calumma nasuta (male) Furcifer minor (male)

17 Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons Furcifer lateralis (male) Furcifer lateralis (female)

18 Furcifer pardalis (male) Furcifer pardalis (female) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

19 Furcifer verrucosus (male) Furcifer verrucosus (female) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

20 Chamaeleo ellioti Furcifer oustaleti (male) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

21 Chamaeleo calyptratus (male) Chamaeleo chamaeleon Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

22 Chamaeleo bitaeniatus Chamaeleo deremensis (female) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

23 Chamaeleo dilepis Chamaeleo fuelleborni (male) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

24 Chamaeleo melleri Chamaeleo rudis Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

25 Chamaeleo werneri (male) Chamaeleo werneri (female) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

26 Chamaeleo gracilis Chamaeleo senegalensis Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

27 Chamaeleo affinis Chamaeleo africanus (male) Examples of the most frequently traded chameleons

28 Example of variations in morphology within a Genus - Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion dracomontanum Bradypodion nemorale Bradypodion oxyrhinum Bradypodion setaroi Bradypodion thamnobates Bradypodion adolfifriderici Bradypodion carpenteri Bradypodion fischeri Bradypodion tavetanum Bradypodion uthmoelleri Bradypodion mlanjensis Bradypodion pumilum Bradypodion spinosum Bradypodion tenue Bradypodion xenorhinum South African dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion spp.) are native to isolated locations in East/Southern Africa (Notice the different morphological characteristics within the same Genus...)

29 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion dracomontanum (male)

30 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion nemorale

31 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion setaroi (male)

32 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion thamnobates (female)

33 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion carpenteri (male)

34 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion carpenteri (female)

35 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion adolfifriderici (male)

36 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion fischeri fischeri (male) B. fischeri is popular in trade

37 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion fischeri multituberculatum (male)

38 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion fischeri excubitor (female)

39 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion tavetanum (male) B. tavetanum is popular in trade

40 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion mlanjensis

41 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion pumilum pumilum (female)

42 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion pumilum karrooicum (female)

43 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion pumilum gutturale (male)

44 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion pumilum damaranum

45 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion pumilum transvaalense

46 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion spinosum (female)

47 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion tenue

48 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion xenorhinum (male)

49 Bradypodion spp. Bradypodion xenorhinum (female)

50 Identification resources The CITES online Identification Manual is a good source of identification materials on chameleons –Names –Characteristics –Distribution –Similar species Furcifer minor

51 Identification resources However, to be able to use any identification resources (such as the CITES Identification Manual or other guides), you must use the morphological characteristics (size, shape of head, presence of crests, lobes horns etc.) Chamaeleo oweni Furcifer rhinoceratus

52 Summary Chameleon species are not easy to identify Between sexes there may be striking differences in morphology and coloration Within a genus there can be much variation in morphology and coloration Within a species there may be significant geographical variation in morphology and coloration Color patterns are often of no help for identification, and morphological characteristics must be used A good reference is the CITES online Identification Guide

53 CITES Secretariat Geneva