Trioceros werneri
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Trioceros
Species:
T. werneri
Binomial name
Trioceros werneri
(Tornier, 1899)

Trioceros werneri, the Wemer's chameleon or Wemer's three-horned chameleon, is a species of chameleon that is endemic to forests and nearby gardens at altitudes of 1,700–2,600 m (5,600–8,500 ft) in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania.[1][2] The adult male has three distinct "horns", whereas the female has no or only a single short horn on the nose.[3][4] Like many (but not all) Trioceros species of highlands, the female T. werneri does not lay eggs, but instead gives birth to live young, typically 15–20 at a time.[5]

Taxonomy

The three long annulated horns in the male T. werneri makes it superficially similar to T. jacksonii and T. johnstoni, and to extent also to the short-horned T. fuelleborni and the smooth-horned T. oweni,[3] but they are not close relatives.[5]

Although currently recognized as a single relatively widespread species, it is considered likely that T. werneri is a species complex and a taxonomic review is necessary.[1][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tolley, K.; Menegon, M. (2014). "Trioceros werneri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T172547A1345013. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T172547A1345013.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Trioceros werneri". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  3. 1 2 Spawls, S.; Howell, K.; Drewes, R.; Ashe, J. (2002). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa. Academic Press. pp. 240–241. ISBN 0-12-656470-1.
  4. 1 2 "Trioceros werneri". chameleonacademy.com. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. 1 2 Hughes, D.F.; Blackburn, D.G. (2020). "Evolutionary origins of viviparity in Chamaeleonidae". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 58 (1): 284–302. doi:10.1111/jzs.12328.
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