Field Observations on Movements of the Mountain Chameleon (Chameleo montium)

摘要

Chamaeleo montium is a medium sized arboreal chameleon found in southwestern Cameroon at elevations of 500-1200 m (Hofer et al. 2003; Mertens 1938). It is reported from forest, gallery forest, hill forest, and farm bush (Klaver and Bohme 1986; Lawson 1993). This species is early maturing and reproduces continuously with an approximately two-month gestation period. The majority of the behavioral information known regarding this species is from observations of captive individuals. The few in situ studies found in the literature expound upon its diet and elevational range (Hofer et al. 2003), individual perch height (Harbort and Herrmann 2002; Lawson 1993), or reproduction (Herrmann and Herrmann 2005; Herrmann and Soler-Kuhni 2005). Studies involving movements or territory investigations are entirely lacking. Here we report on movements involving six chameleons (3 males, 3 females) which we observed for up to twenty-week periods. These observations detail microhabitat usage and provide the first insight into home range and territory.