Kenyan Highland Chameleons

[Chris Anderson]

Hi all,

I've been away from the forum for a bit due to field work, teaching commitments and some home repair projects that have eaten up all my spare time. I thought I would share some images of some chameleons I found last month while teaching a Field Ecology course in Kenya, however.

These first four images are of High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii), from the W/NW Aberdare Mountains.

More to follow,

Chris

 

[Chris Anderson]

These next four images are of Jackson’s Three-horned Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii jacksonii), from the western slopes of Mount Kenya.

Chris

 

[Chris Anderson]

These four images are of High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii) and their habitat at the Met. Station on Mount Kenya National Park.

Chris

 

[Chris Anderson]

And finally, these last images are of High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii) and Jackson's Three-horned Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii jacksonii) from a locality I've been asked to keep quite, as the individual who gave the location to me believes that the T. jacksonii are a new subspecies.

Enjoy!

Chris

 

[leedragon]

These next four images are of Jackson’s Three-horned Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii jacksonii), from the western slopes of Mount Kenya.

Chris

look at those black dorsal spines. that is what I am looking ofr in a jacksonii jacksonii, thanks for posting Chris.

 

[JacksJill]

Thanks for sharing. Great photos.

 

[SmithSe]

Incredible photos, Chris! Genuinely curious, what parameters would lead one to believe that's a new subspecies of T. jacksonii? Slight differences in morphology, and geographic isolation from other populations?

BTW, I attended JMIH last year in Austin and was able to sit in on a talk with one of your collaborators. I believe Steve Husky was his name, and the talk was on functional diversity of chameleon gular pouches? We chatted for like an hour later that day, cool guy! Was bummed you weren't there though.

 

[Chris Anderson]

Incredible photos, Chris! Genuinely curious, what parameters would lead one to believe that's a new subspecies of T. jacksonii? Slight differences in morphology, and geographic isolation from other populations?

BTW, I attended JMIH last year in Austin and was able to sit in on a talk with one of your collaborators. I believe Steve Husky was his name, and the talk was on functional diversity of chameleon gular pouches? We chatted for like an hour later that day, cool guy! Was bummed you weren't there though.

Definitely slight differences in morphology and coloration, but also from an area that is somewhat isolated from other populations. Its not completely isolated though from what I can tell, but neither are T. j. jacksonii from T. j. xantholophus on Mt. Kenya.

Yeah, The gular pouch project is a fun one. We're working on a couple papers at the moment (which you probably saw that talks on), so hopefully some of that work will come out soon. We also are working toward a couple more grant proposals, so fingers crossed!

Unfortunately I don't usually make it to JMIH, although I'm always tempted. I usually go to SICB meetings though.

Chris

 

[todd2010]

Very cool!

 

[chameleonneeds]

That possible new Jackson's subspecies is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Chris. I sometimes want to kick myself for going into geology and not chameleon research. But who knows, maybe it isn't too late.

 

[Brad]

I'd like to audit your class, please

You found some truly beautiful specimens and of course the photography is excellent.

 

[Ekona]

Thank you Chris for sharing these outstanding photos. Great to see you are in Kenya, teaching and doing field research! All the specimens you documented are amazing. Especially the T.j.jacksonii spp. pictured last - what size are they and do you think they are fully grown adults? Can you share any environmental parameters from their habitat? Your post is really interesting and a very nice addition to the more usual contributions here. Good luck in your continued work.

Dave