Kinyongia asheorum
Kinyongia asheorum, the Mount Nyiro bearded chameleon, is a species of chameleon endemic to Kenya. Only four specimens are known.[2]
| Kinyongia asheorum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Kinyongia |
| Species: | K. asheorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Kinyongia asheorum Necas, Sindaco, Korený, Kopecná, Malonza & Modrý, 2009 | |
Description
Kinyongia asheorum is medium-sized, reaching a maximum size of ~ 220 mm (of which about 60% is tail). It has a distinct head casque, a pointed snout, and two horns on the tip of the snout. It is uniformly dark green with several white spots and brownish ridges.[2]
Distribution and habitat
This species is only known to occur on Mount Nyiro in Kenya, where it was collected in a single patch of forest at an altitude of 2,000-2,450 m. It inhabits large trees with extensive canopy cover.[2]
Conservation
While the species appears not to be under direct threat, it has a very restricted distribution and may be impacted by logging, forest fires, and grazing outside the forest. It has been classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.[1]
References
- Tolley, K.; Menegon, M.; Plumptre, A. (2014). "Kinyongia asheorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T172540A1344741. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T172540A1344741.en.
- Necas, P.; Sindaco, R.; Korený, L.; Kopecna, J.; Malonza, P. K.; Modrý, D. (2009). "Kinyongia asheorum sp. n., a new montane chameleon from the Nyiro Range, northern Kenya (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)". Zootaxa. 2028 (1): 41–50.