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

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.


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