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Habitat use by chameleons in a deciduous forest in western Madagascar

2010; Brill; Volume: 31; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1163/156853810790457812

1568-5381

Mathilde Soazandry, Bertrand Razafimahatratra, Christian Randrianantoandro, Richard K. B. Jenkins, Jonah Ratsimbazafy,

Animal Behavior and Reproduction

Abstract Information on the distribution and abundance of chameleons in Madagascar is required to develop conservation plans that integrate protected area management and sustainable use. We surveyed chameleons in eight sites in deciduous forest in Menabe, western Madagascar. Brookesia brygooi was the most frequently detected species, with a population density of 35 ha–1. Furcifer species were less common, with calculated densities of 7.2 ha–1 (F. labordi), 3.0 ha–1 (Furcifer sp.) and 1.3 ha–1 (F. oustaleti). Chameleon abundance varied according to altitude (B. brygooi) and no clear effect from logging was detected (all species). A lack of information on chameleon diurnal habitat requirements impedes a fuller assessment of the extent to which these species are tolerant to forest degradation. There were interspecific differences in the height of nocturnal perches and additional studies are needed to determine whether these are related to diurnal resource partitioning. Furcifer labordi and Furcifer sp. are of conservation concern because they are restricted to native forests in western Madagascar.