Females of a Madagascan chameleon described with modern technologies

Until recently, Calumma vatosoa, a Malagasy chameleon species, was known only from a single male holotype and a photograph of another male specimen. In this study, David Prötzel et al. (2016) provide the first formal description of female C. vatosoa, expanding knowledge of its morphology and systematic position.

Key Findings:

• The female C. vatosoa exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism, differing from males in coloration and cranial structure.

• Skull osteology was analyzed, revealing unique skeletal traits that help clarify its phylogenetic placement within the Calumma genus.

• The study reviews the species' distribution and habitat, emphasizing its restricted range in Madagascar and potential conservation concerns.

This research enhances understanding of Madagascar's chameleon diversity, providing critical taxonomic insights into C. vatosoa and its evolutionary relationships.

Prötzel, D. & al. (2016): No longer single! Description of female Calumma vatosoa (Squamata, Chamaeleonidae) including a review of the species and its systematic position, Zoosystematics and Evolution (2016). DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.6464