Jackson's chameleon: Difference between revisions
+feeding habits |
|||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
| species = '''''T. jacksonii''''' |
| species = '''''T. jacksonii''''' |
||
| binomial = ''Trioceros jacksonii'' |
| binomial = ''Trioceros jacksonii'' |
||
| binomial_authority = Boulenger, 1896 |
| binomial_authority = [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1896<ref name="Boulenger 1896"/> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Jackson's chameleon''' or '''Jackson's three-horned chameleon''' ('''''Trioceros jacksonii''''') is a species of chameleon (family [[Chamaeleonidae]]) native to East Africa, but also [[Introduced species|introduced]] to [[Hawaii]] and [[Florida]].<ref name=Spawls>Spawls, Howell, Drewes, and Ashe (2002). ''A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibian of East Africa, pp. 227-228. ISBN 0-12-656470-1</ref><ref name=GISD>Global Invasive Species Database (2010). ''[http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1575&lang=EN Chamaeleo jacksonii (reptile)].'' Retrieved 16 November 2014.</ref> |
'''Jackson's chameleon''' or '''Jackson's three-horned chameleon''' ('''''Trioceros jacksonii''''') is a species of chameleon (family [[Chamaeleonidae]]) native to East Africa, but also [[Introduced species|introduced]] to [[Hawaii]] and [[Florida]].<ref name=Spawls>Spawls, Howell, Drewes, and Ashe (2002). ''A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibian of East Africa, pp. 227-228. ISBN 0-12-656470-1</ref><ref name=GISD>Global Invasive Species Database (2010). ''[http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1575&lang=EN Chamaeleo jacksonii (reptile)].'' Retrieved 16 November 2014.</ref> |
||
== Taxonomy == |
== Taxonomy == |
||
Jackson's chameleon was first described by [[Belgium|Belgian]]-[[United Kingdom|British]] [[zoologist]] [[George Albert Boulenger]] in 1896.<ref>{{cite book|last=Boulenger|first=George Albert|authorlink=George Albert Boulenger|year=1896|title=Description of a new chameleon from Uganda|journal= Annual Natural History|volume=6|issue= 17|page= 376}}</ref> |
Jackson's chameleon was first described by [[Belgium|Belgian]]-[[United Kingdom|British]] [[zoologist]] [[George Albert Boulenger]] in 1896.<ref name="Boulenger 1896">{{cite book|last=Boulenger|first=George Albert|authorlink=George Albert Boulenger|year=1896|title=Description of a new chameleon from Uganda|journal= Annual Natural History|volume=6|issue= 17|page= 376}}</ref> |
||
Its [[genus|generic]] name (''[[trioceros]]'') is derived from the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] τρί- (''tri-'') meaning "three" and [[wikt:κέρας|κέρας]] (''kéras'') meaning "horns".<ref>{{cite book|author=Liddell, H.G., and R. Scott|year=1980|title=Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged Edition |publisher=Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK|isbn=0-19-910207-4}}</ref> This is in reference to the three horns found on the heads of males. Its specific name is a [[Latinization (literature)|Latinized]] form of English explorer and ornithologist [[Frederick John Jackson]]'s last name, who was serving as the first [[Governor of Kenya]] at the time.<ref name= jackson>{{cite book| title=The Chameleon Handbook|first=François|last= Le Berre|author2=Richard D. Bartlett| publisher =Barron's Educational Series|year=2009 |page=3|isbn=978-0-7641-4142-3 }}</ref> The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from [[Latin]] ''chamaeleō'', a borrowing of the [[Ancient Greek]] χαμαιλέων (''khamailéōn''), a [[compound (linguistics)|compound]] of χαμαί (''khamaí'') "on the ground" and λέων (''léōn'') "lion". The Greek word is a [[calque]] translating the [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] ''nēš qaqqari'', "ground lion".<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chameleon Dictionary.com entry for "chameleon"]</ref> |
Its [[genus|generic]] name (''[[trioceros]]'') is derived from the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] τρί- (''tri-'') meaning "three" and [[wikt:κέρας|κέρας]] (''kéras'') meaning "horns".<ref>{{cite book|author=Liddell, H.G., and R. Scott|year=1980|title=Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged Edition |publisher=Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK|isbn=0-19-910207-4}}</ref> This is in reference to the three horns found on the heads of males. Its specific name is a [[Latinization (literature)|Latinized]] form of English explorer and ornithologist [[Frederick John Jackson]]'s last name, who was serving as the first [[Governor of Kenya]] at the time.<ref name= jackson>{{cite book| title=The Chameleon Handbook|first=François|last= Le Berre|author2=Richard D. Bartlett| publisher =Barron's Educational Series|year=2009 |page=3|isbn=978-0-7641-4142-3 }}</ref> The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from [[Latin]] ''chamaeleō'', a borrowing of the [[Ancient Greek]] χαμαιλέων (''khamailéōn''), a [[compound (linguistics)|compound]] of χαμαί (''khamaí'') "on the ground" and λέων (''léōn'') "lion". The Greek word is a [[calque]] translating the [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] ''nēš qaqqari'', "ground lion".<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chameleon Dictionary.com entry for "chameleon"]</ref> |
||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Distribution== |
==Distribution== |
||
[[File:Tjxantholophus.JPG|thumb|right|Wild ''T. j. xantholophus'' from [[Hilo, Hawaii]]]] |
[[File:Tjxantholophus.JPG|thumb|right|Wild ''T. j. xantholophus'' from [[Hilo, Hawaii]]]] |
||
Jackson's chameleons are native to woodlands and forests at altitudes of {{convert|1600|to|2440|m|ft|abbr=on}} in south-central [[Kenya]] and northern [[Tanzania]].<ref name=Spawls/><ref name=Waring>Waring, G.H. (1996) ''[http://www.hear.org/alienspeciesinhawaii/waringreports/chameleon.htm Preliminary Study of the Behavior and Ecologu of Jackson's Chameleon of Maui, Hawaii.]'' Southern Illinois University. Retrieved 11 November 2014.</ref> In these areas, the rainfall is seasonal but exceeds {{convert|127|cm|in|abbr=on}} per year, day temperatures are typically {{convert|16|-|27|C|F|abbr=on}} and night temperatures are typically {{convert|4|-|18|C|F|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Waring/> In Tanzania, it is only known from [[Mount Meru (Tanzania)|Mount Meru]] in the [[Arusha Region]], which is the home of the relatively small [[Endemism|endemic]] subspecies ''T. j. merumontanus''.<ref name=Spawls/> Jackson's chameleon is more widespread in Kenya, where even found in wooded areas of some [[Nairobi]] suburbs.<ref name=Spawls/> The subspecies ''T. j. xantholophus'' (native to the [[Mount Kenya]] region) was [[Introduced species|introduced]] to [[Hawaii]] in |
Jackson's chameleons are native to woodlands and forests at altitudes of {{convert|1600|to|2440|m|ft|abbr=on}} in south-central [[Kenya]] and northern [[Tanzania]].<ref name=Spawls/><ref name=Waring>Waring, G.H. (1996) ''[http://www.hear.org/alienspeciesinhawaii/waringreports/chameleon.htm Preliminary Study of the Behavior and Ecologu of Jackson's Chameleon of Maui, Hawaii.]'' Southern Illinois University. Retrieved 11 November 2014.</ref> In these areas, the rainfall is seasonal but exceeds {{convert|127|cm|in|abbr=on}} per year, day temperatures are typically {{convert|16|-|27|C|F|abbr=on}} and night temperatures are typically {{convert|4|-|18|C|F|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Waring/> In Tanzania, it is only known from [[Mount Meru (Tanzania)|Mount Meru]] in the [[Arusha Region]], which is the home of the relatively small [[Endemism|endemic]] subspecies ''T. j. merumontanus''.<ref name=Spawls/> Jackson's chameleon is more widespread in Kenya, where even found in wooded areas of some [[Nairobi]] suburbs.<ref name=Spawls/> The subspecies ''T. j. xantholophus'' (native to the [[Mount Kenya]] region) was [[Introduced species|introduced]] to [[Hawaii]] in 1972 and has since established populations on all main islands and became [[invasive species]] there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reportapest.org/pestlist/chajac.htm|title=Jackson's chameleon (''Chamaeleo jacksonii'')|publisher=Hawaii Biodiversity Information Network|accessdate=2013-09-19}}</ref><ref name="Holland 2010">Holland B. S., Montgomery S. L. & Costello V. (2010). "A reptilian smoking gun: first record of invasive Jackson’s chameleon (''Chamaeleo jacksonii'') predation on native Hawaiian species". ''[[Biodiversity and Conservation]]'' '''19'''(5): 1437-1441. {{doi|10.1007/s10531-009-9773-5}}.</ref><ref name="Chiaverano 2014">Chiaverano L. M. & Holland B. S. (2014). "Impact of an invasive predatory lizard on the endangered Hawaiian tree snail ''Achatinella mustelina'': a threat assessment". ''[[Endangered Species Research]] '''24''': 115-123, {{doi|10.3354/esr00589}}.</ref><ref name="Kraus 2012">Kraus F. & Preston D. (2012). "Diet of the invasive lizard ''Chamaeleo jacksonii' (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) at a wetforest site in Hawaii". ''[[Pacific Science]]'' '''66''': 397-404. [http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/files/2013/02/Chamaeleo-jacksonii-Volcano-diets.pdf PDF].</ref> This subspecies has also been introduced to [[Florida]].<ref name=GISD/> In Hawaii, they are mainly found at altitudes of {{convert|100|to|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}} in wet, shady places.<ref name=GISD/> Historically this population was the primary source of Jackson's chameleons for the exotic pet trade in the United States, but exports from Hawaii are now illegal.<ref name=GISD/> This has been done to prevent opportunists from willfully establishing further feral animal populations to capture and sell them.{{cn|date=November 2014}} |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | In captivity, Jackson's chameleons require high humidity, and are in general very needy of colder temperatures during the night. Too much heat, or excessive humidity, can cause eye infections and upper respiratory infections in these animals. In captivity, the Jackson's chameleon can be expected to live between five and ten years.<ref>[http://exoticpets.about.com/od/chameleons/p/jacksoncham.htm Exotic Pets section of About.com]</ref> |
||
==Reproduction== |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
==Description== |
==Description== |
||
| Line 43: | Line 37: | ||
These are small to medium-sized chameleons. Adult males reach up to {{convert|38|cm|in|abbr=on}} and females up to {{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on|0}}, but more typical lengths are {{convert|15|to|25|cm|in|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name=Spawls/> They have a saw-tooth shaped dorsal ridge and no gullar crest. They attain sexual maturity after five months. The lifespan is variable, with males generally living longer than females. |
These are small to medium-sized chameleons. Adult males reach up to {{convert|38|cm|in|abbr=on}} and females up to {{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on|0}}, but more typical lengths are {{convert|15|to|25|cm|in|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name=Spawls/> They have a saw-tooth shaped dorsal ridge and no gullar crest. They attain sexual maturity after five months. The lifespan is variable, with males generally living longer than females. |
||
==Ecology== |
|||
Jackson's chameleons live primarily on a diet of small insects. They are less territorial than most species of chameleons. Males will generally assert dominance over each other through color displays and posturing in an attempt to secure mating rights, but usually not to the point of physical fights. |
|||
===Feeding habits=== |
|||
Jackson's chameleons live primarily on a diet of small insects. It prey on insects, centipedes, isopods, millipedes, spiders, lizards, small birds, and snails in its native habitat.<ref name="Holland 2010"/> |
|||
There is a threat of devastating impact of introduced invasive Jackson's chameleons to native ecosystems in Hawaii.<ref name="Holland 2010"/> There were found mainly insect in their stomachs: planthoppers ''[[Oliarus]]'', grasshoppers ''[[Banza (genus)|Banza]]'', casebearing caterpillars ''[[Hyposmocoma]]'', beetles ''[[Oodemas]]'', dragonflies ''[[Pantala]]''<ref name="Holland 2010"/> and others.<ref name="Kraus 2012"/> Holland et al. (2010)<ref name="Holland 2010"/> proved that they also prey on snails in Hawaii.<ref name="Holland 2010"/> Their prey include land snails ''[[Achatinella]]'', ''[[Auriculella]]'', ''[[Lamellidea]]'', ''[[Philonesia]]'',<ref name="Holland 2010"/> ''[[Oxychilus alliarius]]''.<ref name="Kraus 2012"/> They are swallowing whole snails (including shells).<ref name="Holland 2010"/> Jackson's chameleons introduced to Hawaii are substantial threat to native biodiversity of invertebrates<ref name="Kraus 2012"/> and serious threat especially to [[Endemism in the Hawaiian Islands|endemic species]], such as critically endangered [[O'ahu tree snail]]s (genus ''Achatinella'').<ref name="Holland 2010"/><ref name="Chiaverano 2014"/> |
|||
===Life cycle=== |
|||
| ⚫ | They are less territorial than most species of chameleons. Males will generally assert dominance over each other through color displays and posturing in an attempt to secure mating rights, but usually not to the point of physical fights. Most chameleons are [[oviparous]], but Jackson's chameleon gives birth to live offspring; eight to thirty live young are born after a five- to six-month gestation. The subspecies ''T. j. merumontanus'' gives birth to five to ten live young.{{cn|date=November 2014}} |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | In captivity, Jackson's chameleons require high humidity, and are in general very needy of colder temperatures during the night. Too much heat, or excessive humidity, can cause eye infections and upper respiratory infections in these animals. In captivity, the Jackson's chameleon can be expected to live between five and ten years.<ref>[http://exoticpets.about.com/od/chameleons/p/jacksoncham.htm Exotic Pets section of About.com]</ref> |
||
<!--not encyclopedic ==In Popular Culture== |
<!--not encyclopedic ==In Popular Culture== |
||
The Fallout series of games includes a mutated version of Jackson's Chameleon called a "[http://www.falloutwiki.com/Deathclaw Deathclaw]". |
The Fallout series of games includes a mutated version of Jackson's Chameleon called a "[http://www.falloutwiki.com/Deathclaw Deathclaw]". |
||
Revision as of 21:19, 13 January 2015
| Jackson's chameleon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | T. jacksonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Trioceros jacksonii | |
Jackson's chameleon or Jackson's three-horned chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii) is a species of chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae) native to East Africa, but also introduced to Hawaii and Florida.[2][3]
Taxonomy
Jackson's chameleon was first described by Belgian-British zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1896.[1]
Its generic name (trioceros) is derived from the Greek τρί- (tri-) meaning "three" and κέρας (kéras) meaning "horns".[4] This is in reference to the three horns found on the heads of males. Its specific name is a Latinized form of English explorer and ornithologist Frederick John Jackson's last name, who was serving as the first Governor of Kenya at the time.[5] The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from Latin chamaeleō, a borrowing of the Ancient Greek χαμαιλέων (khamailéōn), a compound of χαμαί (khamaí) "on the ground" and λέων (léōn) "lion". The Greek word is a calque translating the Akkadian nēš qaqqari, "ground lion".[6]
The three subspecies, including the nominate, are:
- T. j. jacksonii Boulanger, 1896: Jackson's chameleon
- T. j. merumontanus Rand, 1958: dwarf Jackson's chameleon
- T. j. xantholophus Eason, Ferguson & Hebrard, 1988: yellow-crested Jackson's chameleon
Distribution
Jackson's chameleons are native to woodlands and forests at altitudes of 1,600 to 2,440 m (5,250 to 8,010 ft) in south-central Kenya and northern Tanzania.[2][7] In these areas, the rainfall is seasonal but exceeds 127 cm (50 in) per year, day temperatures are typically 16–27 °C (61–81 °F) and night temperatures are typically 4–18 °C (39–64 °F).[7] In Tanzania, it is only known from Mount Meru in the Arusha Region, which is the home of the relatively small endemic subspecies T. j. merumontanus.[2] Jackson's chameleon is more widespread in Kenya, where even found in wooded areas of some Nairobi suburbs.[2] The subspecies T. j. xantholophus (native to the Mount Kenya region) was introduced to Hawaii in 1972 and has since established populations on all main islands and became invasive species there.[8][9][10][11] This subspecies has also been introduced to Florida.[3] In Hawaii, they are mainly found at altitudes of 100 to 1,000 m (330 to 3,280 ft) in wet, shady places.[3] Historically this population was the primary source of Jackson's chameleons for the exotic pet trade in the United States, but exports from Hawaii are now illegal.[3] This has been done to prevent opportunists from willfully establishing further feral animal populations to capture and sell them.[citation needed]
Description
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2010) |
They are sometimes called three-horned chameleons because males possess three brown horns: one on the nose (the rostral horn) and one above each superior orbital ridge above the eyes (preocular horns), somewhat reminiscent of the ceratopsid dinosaur genus Triceratops. The females generally have no horns, or traces of the rostral horn (in the subspecies T. j. jacksonii and T. j. merumontanus). The coloring is usually bright green, with some individual animals having traces of blue and yellow, but like all chameleons, they change color quickly depending on mood, health, and temperature.
These are small to medium-sized chameleons. Adult males reach up to 38 cm (15 in) and females up to 25 cm (10 in), but more typical lengths are 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in).[2] They have a saw-tooth shaped dorsal ridge and no gullar crest. They attain sexual maturity after five months. The lifespan is variable, with males generally living longer than females.
Ecology
Feeding habits
Jackson's chameleons live primarily on a diet of small insects. It prey on insects, centipedes, isopods, millipedes, spiders, lizards, small birds, and snails in its native habitat.[9]
There is a threat of devastating impact of introduced invasive Jackson's chameleons to native ecosystems in Hawaii.[9] There were found mainly insect in their stomachs: planthoppers Oliarus, grasshoppers Banza, casebearing caterpillars Hyposmocoma, beetles Oodemas, dragonflies Pantala[9] and others.[11] Holland et al. (2010)[9] proved that they also prey on snails in Hawaii.[9] Their prey include land snails Achatinella, Auriculella, Lamellidea, Philonesia,[9] Oxychilus alliarius.[11] They are swallowing whole snails (including shells).[9] Jackson's chameleons introduced to Hawaii are substantial threat to native biodiversity of invertebrates[11] and serious threat especially to endemic species, such as critically endangered O'ahu tree snails (genus Achatinella).[9][10]
Life cycle
They are less territorial than most species of chameleons. Males will generally assert dominance over each other through color displays and posturing in an attempt to secure mating rights, but usually not to the point of physical fights. Most chameleons are oviparous, but Jackson's chameleon gives birth to live offspring; eight to thirty live young are born after a five- to six-month gestation. The subspecies T. j. merumontanus gives birth to five to ten live young.[citation needed]
In captivity
In captivity, Jackson's chameleons require high humidity, and are in general very needy of colder temperatures during the night. Too much heat, or excessive humidity, can cause eye infections and upper respiratory infections in these animals. In captivity, the Jackson's chameleon can be expected to live between five and ten years.[12]
References
- ^ a b Boulenger, George Albert (1896). Description of a new chameleon from Uganda. Vol. 6. p. 376.
{{cite book}}:|journal=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d e Spawls, Howell, Drewes, and Ashe (2002). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibian of East Africa, pp. 227-228. ISBN 0-12-656470-1
- ^ a b c d Global Invasive Species Database (2010). Chamaeleo jacksonii (reptile). Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ Liddell, H.G., and R. Scott (1980). Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. ISBN 0-19-910207-4.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Le Berre, François; Richard D. Bartlett (2009). The Chameleon Handbook. Barron's Educational Series. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-7641-4142-3.
- ^ Dictionary.com entry for "chameleon"
- ^ a b Waring, G.H. (1996) Preliminary Study of the Behavior and Ecologu of Jackson's Chameleon of Maui, Hawaii. Southern Illinois University. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
- ^ "Jackson's chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii)". Hawaii Biodiversity Information Network. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Holland B. S., Montgomery S. L. & Costello V. (2010). "A reptilian smoking gun: first record of invasive Jackson’s chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) predation on native Hawaiian species". Biodiversity and Conservation 19(5): 1437-1441. doi:10.1007/s10531-009-9773-5.
- ^ a b Chiaverano L. M. & Holland B. S. (2014). "Impact of an invasive predatory lizard on the endangered Hawaiian tree snail Achatinella mustelina: a threat assessment". Endangered Species Research 24: 115-123, doi:10.3354/esr00589.
- ^ a b c d Kraus F. & Preston D. (2012). "Diet of the invasive lizard Chamaeleo jacksonii' (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) at a wetforest site in Hawaii". Pacific Science 66: 397-404. PDF.
- ^ Exotic Pets section of About.com
External links
- Chamaeleo jacksonii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
- Jackson's Chameleon Care Information at Caresheets.net
- Chamaeleo jacksonii information from HEAR
- Preliminary study of the behavior and ecology of Jackson's chameleons of Maui, Hawaii (Dr. George H. Waring, Dept. of Zoology, Southern Illinois University)