Calumma tarzan

{{Speciesbox

| image = Calumma tarzan 01.jpg

| image_caption = Male Calumma tarzan

| status = CR

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Jenkins, R.K.B. |author-link=species:Richard K.B. Jenkins |author2=Andreone, F. |author2-link=species:Franco Andreone |author3=Andriamazava, A. |author3-link=species:Alain Andriamazava |author4=Anjeriniaina, M. |author4-link=species:Mirana Anjeriniaina |author5=Brady, L. |author5-link=species:Lee D. Brady |author6=Glaw, F. |author6-link=Frank Glaw |author7=Griffiths, R.A. |author7-link=species:Richard A. Griffiths |author8=Rabibisoa, N. |author8-link=species:Nirhy Rabibisoa |author9=Rakotomalala, D. |author9-link=species:Domoina Rakotomalala |author10=Randrianantoandro, J.C. |author10-link=species:J. Christian Randrianantoandro |author11=Randrianiriana, J. |author12=Randrianizahana , H. |author13=Ratsoavina, F. |author13-link=species:Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina |author14=Robsomanitrandrasana, E. |author14-link=species:Eric Robsomanitrandrasana |date=2011 |title=Calumma tarzan |volume=2011 |page=e.T193482A8862229 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T193482A8862229.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}

| genus = Calumma

| species = tarzan

| authority = Gehring, Pabijan, Ratsoavina, J. Köhler, Vences & Glaw, 2010

| range_map =Calumma tarzan distribution.png

}}

Calumma tarzan, also known commonly as the Tarzan chameleon or Tarzan's chameleon, is a species of lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to the Alaotra-Mangoro region in Madagascar.{{cite web | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?lin=s&p=has_linkout&id=912808 | title=Calumma tarzan | publisher=www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | access-date=18 August 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100901-tarzan-chameleon-tarzanville-forest-science-environment/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905055150/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100901-tarzan-chameleon-tarzanville-forest-science-environment | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 5, 2010 |author=Dell'Amore, Christine |date=2010 | title=Tarzan Chameleon Found in Tarzan Forest, Near Tarzanville | publisher=National Geographic | access-date=18 August 2013}}

Etymology

The specific name, tarzan, is in honor of Tarzan, the fictional jungle dweller created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.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}}. (Calumma tarzan, pp. 260-261).

Physical characteristics

C. tarzan is approximately {{convert|119|-|150|mm|in|abbr=on}} in total length, {{convert|61|-|72|mm|in|abbr=on}} in snout-vent length (SVL), with anteriorly fused rostral crests to form a "spade-like" snout that projects 1 millimeter beyond its snout tip. The chameleon has green to light yellow coloration and has a dark transversal band when it is stressed. This species has a very low casque in comparison to other chameleons.

Sexual dimorphism

C. tarzan males exhibit a brown to blackish casque and necks while females have a green to light yellow casque and neck. Females have a less pronounced rectangular rostral profile than males in the species.

Geographic range and habitat

C. tarzan is endemic to central east Madagascar. This chameleon is found in forest fragments outside of Tarzanville, Province Moramanga, Madagascar.

Reproduction

C. tarzan is oviparous.

Conservation

Madagascar has been subject to rampant fragmentation of forest habitats. Areas in Madagascar that are major protected areas suffer from forest fragmentation because of poor governance and subverted judicial control.{{cite journal|last1=D'cruze |first1=Neil |author1-link=species:Neil D'Cruze |display-authors=etal |title=The first comprehensive survey of amphibians and reptiles at Montagne des Français, Madagascar |journal=Herpetological Conservation and Biology |date=2007 |volume=2 |pages=87–99 |url=http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_2/Issue_2/D'Cruze_etal_2007.pdf }} The increase in forest fragmentation has created habitats that are not suitable for large mammals and some species of birds. This has made some flagship species of the island, like lemurs and some species of birds, to find refuge in non-fragmented forests. Biologists have named C. tarzan a flagship species because of its colorful appearance and because the area lacks other flagship species from Madagascar. Biologists are using this species to try to support and purpose significance in conservation of fragmented forests in Madagascar.

References

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{NRDB species|genus=Calumma |species=tarzan |accessdate=20 December 2016}}

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100901-tarzan-chameleon-tarzanville-forest-science-environment/

https://www.madagasikara-voakajy.org/blog/calumma-tarzan

https://news.mongabay.com/2010/08/photos-tarzan-chameleon-discovered-in-madagascar/

{{cite journal|author1=Gehring, P.-S.|author-link1=species:Philip-Sebastian Gehring|author2=Pabijan, M.|author-link2=species:Maciej Pabijan|author3=Ratsoavina, F.M.|author4=Köhler, J.|author-link4=Jörn Köhler|author5=Vences, M.|author-link5=Miguel Vences|author6=Glaw, F.|title=A Tarzan yell for conservation: a new chameleon, Calumma tarzan sp. n., proposed as a flagship species for the creation of new nature reserves in Madagascar|journal=Salamandra|date=2010|volume=46|issue=3|url=https://www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php/contents/2010-vol-46/104-gehring-p-s-m-pabijan-f-m-ratsoavina-j-koehler-m-vences-f-glaw/file}} (Calumma tarzan, new species).

}}

tarzan

Category:Critically endangered fauna of Africa

Category:Endemic fauna of Madagascar

Category:Reptiles of Madagascar

Category:Reptiles described in 2010

Category:Taxa named by Jörn Köhler

Category:Taxa named by Miguel Vences

Category:Taxa named by Frank Glaw