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
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Binomial name | |
Furcifer timoni | |
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]
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]
Furcifer timoni has been ranked by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to be Near Threatened,[6] and it is one of several 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]
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]
Furcifer timoni is oviparous. Female specimens have been found with up to 14 eggs.[5]
Furcifer timoni was initially described as a new species in 2009 by German herpetologists Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, and Miguel Vences.[3]
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)