Brookesia stumpffi, also known as the plated leaf chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in some parts of Madagascar. It can be found in Nosy Bé, north-west Madagascar, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Sakatia.

Brookesia stumpffi
in Lokobe Strict Reserve, Nosy Be
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Brookesia
Species:
B. stumpffi
Binomial name
Brookesia stumpffi
Boettger, 1894

Taxonomy

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Brookesia stumpffi was originally described by Oskar Boettger, a German zoologist, in 1894. [2]

Etymology

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The specific name, stumpffi, is in honor of Anton Stumpff, who collected the holotype.[3]

Geographic range and habitat

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Glaw and Vences found B. stumpffi on small islands of Madagascar away from the main land mass of the country in 2007.[1] The species can only be found in certain parts of Madagascar; it can be found in Nosy Be (sometimes known as Nosy Bé), north-western Madagascar, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Sakatia,[2] and is common in the rainforest. Brookesia stumpffi can be found up to a height of 150 metres (490 feet) above sea level, and can be found over an area of 61,884 kilometres (38,453 miles).[1][4]

Conservation status

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There are no known major threats to the Brookesia stumpffi, and the species seems to be adaptable to "disturbed habitats".[1] The species is sometimes kept as a pet and domesticated.[1] The species is marked as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[1]

Description

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Brookesia stumpffi can grow to a total length (including tail) of up to 9 cm (3.5 in), and has a life expectancy of at least three years.[5]

Reproduction

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During reproduction, the female B. stumpffi lays between three and five eggs, which hatch between 60 and 70 days later, provided they are at a temperature of 23 °C (73 °F).[5]

Diet

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B. stumpffi feeds on insects such as crickets, fruit flies, cockroaches, wax moths (waxworms), and grasshoppers.[5]

Biology

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During the day, the body temperature of B. stumpffi is between 22 and 25 °C (72 and 77 °F), and is 20 °C (68 °F) during the night.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Jenkins, R.K.B.; Andreone, F.; Andriamazava, A.; Anjeriniaina, M.; Brady, L.; Glaw, F.; Griffiths, R.A.; Rabibisoa, N.; Rakotomalala, D.; Randrianantoandro, J.C.; Randrianiriana, J.; Randrianizahana , H.; Ratsoavina, F.; Raxworthy, C.J.; Robsomanitrandrasana, E. (2011). "Brookesia stumpffi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T176297A7212306. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T176297A7212306.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Brookesia stumpffi | The Reptile Database". Reptile-database.reptarium.cz. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  3. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Brookesia stumpffi, p. 257).
  4. ^ "Facts about Plated Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi ) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  5. ^ a b c d "Animals". Lucky Reptile. Archived from the original on 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

Further reading

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  • Boettger O (1894). "Eine neue Brookesia (Chamaeleontidae) aus Nossibé ". Zoologischer Anzeiger 17: 182–185. (Brookesia stumpffi, new species). (in German).