Furcifer timoni
Furcifer timoni is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.
| Furcifer timoni | |
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| Male holotype of Furcifer timoni | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Furcifer |
| Species: | F. timoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Furcifer timoni | |
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Etymology
The specific name, timoni, is in honor of Timon Robert Glaw (born 2004), who is the son of German herpetologist Frank Glaw, senior author of this species.[2]
Geographic range and habitat
Furcifer timoni is endemic to the Montagne d'Ambre National Park (Amber Mountain National Park) near the northern tip of Madagascar.[3][4] Its geographic range probably extends to 385 square kilometres (149 square miles) at a height of between 750 and 900 metres (2,460 and 2,950 feet) above sea level.[4] Based on some photographic records, it may also be found in the Marojejy National Park (Marojejy Massif), although this fact has not been confirmed.[1] Its preferred natural habitat is forest.[5]
Conservation status
Furcifer timoni has been ranked by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to be Near Threatened,[6] and it is one of eleven species of chameleon discovered since 1999.[7] It has been listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened because there is a possible threat which may affect the species. If the threat were to become active, Furcifer timoni would not become Critically Endangered. Instead, as it has a range of 385 square kilometres (149 square miles) in one place, it would be able to be classified as endangered.[5] There are also threats of logging for charcoal and the collection of rosewood.[5]
Description
Female specimens of F. timoni have a base colour of green, and a yellow-orange underside. The body is covered in blue spots, and the top of the head is red with blue spots.[7] The head of males of the species is green with purplish spots.[8]
Taxonomy
Furcifer timoni was initially described as a new species in 2009 by German herpetologists Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, and Miguel Vences.[3]
References
- 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.; Robsomanitrandrasana, E. (2011). "Furcifer timoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T193484A8862420. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T193484A8862420.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- 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. (Furcifer timoni, p. 266).
- "Furcifer timoni | The Reptile Database". Reptile-database.reptarium.cz. 25 February 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- "Furcifer timoni - Overview - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- Jenkins RKB et al. (14 authors) (2011). "Furcifer timoni ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- "Furcifer videos, photos and facts - Furcifer timoni ". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2011-12-11. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- "A decade of new species discovered in Madagascar - in pictures (9/17)". Guardian. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- "A decade of new species discovered in Madagascar - in pictures (10/17)". Guardian. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2012.