Species details

You selected Rhampholeon (rhinodigitum) acuminatus MARIAUX 2006. This is a synonym for:

Accepted scientific name:
Rhampholeon acuminatus MARIAUX & TILBURY 2006 (accepted name) 1 literature reference for Rhampholeon acuminatus MARIAUX & TILBURY 2006
Synonyms:
Rhampholeon (rhinodigitum) acuminatus MARIAUX 2006 (synonym) 1 literature reference for Rhampholeon (rhinodigitum) acuminatus MARIAUX 2006
Common names: -
Classification:
Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Family Chamaeleonidae
Genus Rhampholeon
Distribution: Tanzania (Nguru mountains) Terra typica: Tanzania, Morogoro region, Nguru mountains, Nguru South Catchment FR, Komkore Forest above Ubili village [6°2'29" S; 37°30'40.5" E], elevation 1500–1600 m.
Additional data: Holotype: MHNG 2645.001 (field tag TZ 414), male, 21 October 2000. Collected by J. Mariaux & S. Loader. Etymology. From Latin acuminare (to sharpen), in reference to the numerous sharp spines found on the head and body. Diagnosis. Chamaeleonidae, Rhampholeon (Rhinodigitum). With the characters of the subgenus. A small chameleon with SVL 47–57 mm (maximum TL 82 mm) and a tail 25–30% of TL. Adults are unmistakable due to their large discoid and vertically flattened rostral process (up to 5 × 3 mm) projecting forward off the rostrum (Figs 6-7), spinous supra-orbital and other cranial projections, prominent casque, exaggerated dorsal crest and numerous spines on the body, limbs and tail. No axillary or inguinal pits. Claws bicuspid. Parietal peritoneum unpigmented. Differential diagnosis. Among the pygmy chameleons, only Rh. spinosus presents a similar rostral process. However, Rh. spinosus has a more rounded rostral proc- ess, numerous spiny tubercles on the gular region, a slender overall appearance, and a significantly longer tail (up to more than 40% of TL); furthermore it is not sympatric with Rh. acuminatus. Although several other species, like Rh. uluguruensis and related taxa, also have rather conspicuous naso-rostral processes, these are more cylindrical and much smaller. Furthermore these species do not show the characteristic body spines seen in Rh. acuminatus, thus making confusion unlikely.
Source database: TIGR Reptiles, Oct 2007
Latest taxonomic scrutiny: Uetz P.,
Online resource: http://www.tigr.org/reptiles/species.php?genus=Rhampholeon&species=acuminatus
CoL taxon LSID: urn:lsid:catalogueoflife.org:taxon:e9e1f1ae-29c1-102b-9a4a-00304854f820:col20110201

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