Lost Chameleon Species Found in Hotel’s Garden
The Volezkow’s chameleon (Furcifer voeltzkowi), which was thought to have become extinct, has been rediscovered during a two-week expedition in the north-west of Madagascar. Since the last official sighting, in 1913, it has been on the top spot of the 25 Most Wanted taxon in the Global Wildlife Conservation’s Search for Lost Species.
This colourful chameleon was first known about from a single male, which had been collected by German biologist, Alfred Voeltzkno, in 1893. Little was known about the species and no females had ever been seen. The expedition, which took place during Madagascar’s rainy season in 2018, was nearing completion when Angeluc Razafimanantsoa, professional guide and member of the expedition, spotted this incredibly rare species in the wild gardens of Chez Madame Chabaud hotel.
The Voeltzkow’s chameleon is closely related to the Labord’s chameleon (Furcifer labordi), which lives for just a few months each year. Their eggs hatch in November with their young reaching sexual maturity extremely rapidly – within just two months. Once these mature chameleons mate and lay their eggs, in January and February, they die within about a month. Biologists believe that it is highly possible that Voeltzkow’s chameleon follows a similar lifecycle, making finding them a challenging task. This is made even more difficult as they are active during Madagascar’s rainy season, when parts of the island become almost inaccessible.
Once rediscovered, the research team found three males and 15 females, which they think indicates a healthy population for such a short-lived species. They also discovered just how colourful the females are, particularly when they are pregnant.
In a newly released paper about their discovery, the team describe how the Voeltzkow’s chameleon is a sexually dimorphic species. Males observed were significantly less colourful than females – although they are both primarily green in colour when relaxed. Like all chameleons, females change colour according to their moods. When antagonized they display highly variable vivid colour patterns of purple, orange, red, green, black, and white.
The paper, which was released in Salamandra – the German Journal of Herpetology – details the 2018 expedition findings and provides new information on Voelzkow’s genetics, morphology and behaviour.
Madagascar is home to about half the world’s chameleon species, with over 100 being endemic. Of these, 52% are threatened due to habitat loss and deforestation. It is believed that less than 10% of Madagascar’s natural forest still remain.
You can read their paper on Research Gate – Rediscovery, conservation status and genetic relationships of the Malagasy chameleon Furcifer voeltzkowi
Photographs © Kathrin Glaw and Frank Glaw