A re-appraisal of the systematics of the African genus Chamaeleo (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae)

The genus Chamaeleo, currently subdivided into two sub-genera, Chamaeleo (Chamaeleo) and Chamaeleo (Trioceros) (Klaver & Böhnie 1986), is reviewed from both a morphological and genetic basis and it is concluded that the two sub-genera are sufficiently distinct as to warrant their formal elevation to seperate and distinct genera. Evaluation of the soft anatomy and several other characters provide sufficient basis for making this distinction. The proposed change is supported by the demonstration of monophyletic groupings (based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear gene) consistent with distinct genera. copyright