Kinyongia asheorum
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| Kinyongia asheorum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Kinyongia |
| Species: | K. asheorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Kinyongia asheorum | |
Kinyongia asheorum, also known commonly as the Mount Nyiro bearded chameleon, is a species of lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Kenya. Only four specimens are known.[2]
Etymology[edit]
The specific name, asheorum (Latin, genitive, plural), is in honor of British-Kenyan herpetologist James Ashe (1925–2004), and his wife Sanda (1944–2018).[3]
Description[edit]
K. asheorum is medium-sized, reaching a maximum size of about 22 cm (8.7 in) (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[edit]
K. asheorum 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 (6,560–8,040 ft). It inhabits large trees with extensive canopy cover.[2]
Conservation[edit]
While the species K. asheorum 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[edit]
- ^ a b Tolley, K.; Menegon, M.; Plumptre, A. (2020). "Kinyongia asheorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T172540A176532327. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T172540A176532327.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Nečas P, Sindaco R, Kořený L, Kopečná J, Malonza PK, Modrý D (2009). "Kinyongia asheorum sp. n., a new montane chameleon from the Nyiro Range, northern Kenya (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)". Zootaxa. 2028 (1): 41–50. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2028.1.4.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Kinyongia asheorum, p. 12).
Further reading[edit]
- Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M (2018). Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury Natural History. 624 pp. ISBN 978-147-2935618. (Kinyongia asheorum, p. 265).
External links[edit]
- Species Kinyongia asheorum at The Reptile Database
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