Antsingy Leaf Chameleon

The Antsingy leaf chameleon lives amongst the leaf litter and on low branches on or close to the forest floor where it feeds on small insects such as small flies and termites (4). It stalks prey slowly and, when within range, flicks out its muscular tongue at great speed, catching the prey on the tongue tip and pulling it back into the mouth (6). In the tropical climate of Madagascar, reproduction occurs mainly during the rainy season (2). The Antsingy leaf chameleon, like most other chameleons, is oviparous (5). Females lay their eggs in soft soil or piles of dead foliage on the forest floor, where natural decomposition of the leaves provides a constant level of heat and humidity (7). Hatching occurs after four to six weeks, and there may be two to five eggs per clutch, with females laying two clutches per year (8).

The Antsingy leaf chameleon is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), and as such international trade of this species is illegal (3). Its survival is not immediately threatened in the wild, although it is still justifiably a conservation priority because of its limited range and the continued degradation of its favoured habitats within the national park (1) (2) (10).

The Antsingy leaf chameleon is much smaller than most chameleons, but is the largest of the Brookesia (dwarf) chameleon species. It has a limited ability to change colour and looks like a tiny armoured dragon, with thorny spines running down its back and sides (2). It is dull in colouration, with a dark brown body and a lighter brown head. This suits its lifestyle though, as it hides amongst the dead leaf litter, and is therefore well camouflaged (4). As a forest floor dwelling chameleon this species does not have a prehensile tail to assist tree climbing. Instead, its tail is short and stumped, and also has spines running down it (5). Its eyes have two rounded crests behind them, and are almost completely covered by brown eyelids, leaving only a narrow opening (5).

Like other members of the Brookesia genus, the Antsingy leaf chameleon has specific habitat requirements. It exists in primary or relatively untouched tropical deciduous forests where there is a dense leaf litter. This dense leaf litter is important as it provides food for the Antsingy leaf chameleon. During the night it perches on low twigs, stems and leaves (2).

This species is endemic to Madagascar (1), a large island off East Africa's coast. There it is found in the northern part of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in the Melaky Region (2).

Listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1), and listed on Appendix I of CITES (3).

Chameleons are favoured as pets across the world due to their fascinating appearance and behaviour. Collection and trade has therefore taken its toll on many chameleon species, but international trade in this species is now prohibited (9). However, habitat degradation remains a threat, even though the species is found within a national park. As this species depends on the presence of leaf litter for food, shelter and laying its eggs, and also on low shrubs and seedlings for roosting at night, its survival is dependent on maintaining the existing vegetation structure within the Tsingy forests (5) (10).

The Antsingy leaf chameleon is found in the northern part of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in the Melaky Region of western Madagascar (1,2,13). It seems to prefer relatively intact primary forest or relatively untouched tropical deciduous forests where there is a dense cover of leaf litter, to provide food, and a relatively well developed understorey (11). Historic collection pressure and altitude may influence current patterns of abundance. tat requirements. It exists in primary The chameleon has a limited ability to change colour and looks like a tiny armoured dragon, with thorny spines running down its back and sides (2). It has a dark brown body and lighter brown head. This provides camouflage, helping it hide amongst dead leaf litter (4). As it lives on the forest floor, it does not have a prehensile tail to aid tree climbing. Its short, stumpy tail has spines running down it (5). Its eyes have two rounded crests behind them and are almost completely covered by brown eyelids, leaving only a narrow opening (5). The chameleon lives amongst leaf litter and on low branches on or near to the forest floor. It roosts on low lying twigs, shrubs, leaves, green stems and other vegetation at night (2,12); females make more use of leaves than do males (12). It slowly stalks small flies, termites and other small insects (4). When they are within range, it quickly flicks out its muscular tongue, catching the prey on the tongue tip and pulling it back into the mouth (6). Reproduction occurs mainly in the rainy season (2). The chameleon is oviparous (5). Females lay 2-5 eggs in soft soil or piles of dead foliage on the forest floor, where natural decomposition of the leaves provides a constant level of heat and humidity (7). Hatching occurs after 4-6 weeks. Females lay two clutches a year (8). The IUCN Red List Assessment in 2011 was "Endangered" (1,3) as the species is known only from the Bemaraha Massif, where it is thought to have an extent of occurrence of @ 400 km². The highest densities are in the eastern forest of Bendrao (11). Its habitat is undergoing a continuing decline due to timber extraction (charcoal and construction), overgrazing and fire (1,2,5,10,11). Most of the range is within a protected area complex and is afforded nominal protection. The Antsingy leaf chameleon is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), so international trade is illegal (3,9). Some adults may be illegally collected from the reserve, so there may be a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals (11). The survival of this species is not immediately threatened in the wild, but it is a conservation priority (1,2,10) and the population trend is decreasing.

Continent: Indian-Ocean
Distribution: W Madagascar
Type locality: Antsingy, 300 m elevation.

The Antsingy leaf chameleon (Brookesia perarmata) is a species of lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is also referred to as Armoured leaf chameleon.

This species is endemic to Madagascar and can only be found in the dry deciduous forests of the northern area of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar's Melaky Region. These chameleons were popular pets for a short time leading to a severely decreasing population trend before pet trade of the species was banned. Deforestation and habitat degradation continue to affect their numbers despite conservation efforts within their range.