Three Carpet Chameleons of Madagascar

In 2012, Florio, Ingram, Rakotondravony, Louis, and Raxworthy demonstrated that the carpet chameleon complex  in Madagascar actually consists of three distinct species: Furcifer lateralis, Furcifer major, and Furcifer viridis. Their DNA analysis confirmed the separation, while geography further supports the distinction.

Directly from the field, males of each species show clear differences.

Together, they form a trio of closely related but well‑defined Malagasy chameleons. The future will show whether some of the local populations will anyway not gain a separate status.