Swartberg dwarf chameleon
The Swartberg dwarf chameleon, (Bradypodion atromontanum) is a chameleon in the genus Bradypodion native to southern Africa.
| Swartberg dwarf chameleon | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Bradypodion |
| Species: | B. atromontanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Bradypodion atromontanum Branch, Tolley and Tilbury, 2006 | |
Description
Taxonomy: For many years a dwarf chameleon of undetermined taxonomic status was known from the Swartberg area (Branch 1988b, 1998). A subsequent phylogenetic study resulted in its description as a new species (Branch et al. 2006b). Morphologically it can be confused with B. gutturale (Tolley & Burger 2007) but the two species are allopatric.
Distribution: Endemic to the Greater and Lesser Swartberg mountains, Western Cape, South Africa.
It occurs in the Swartberg Nature Reserve, in the Swartberg Mountain range. Here it is known from the area of Die Hel and the Swartberg Pass, near Prince Albert. Here it occurs in Mountain Fynbos vegetation.