A new species of chameleon (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) from the Aberdare Mountains in the central highlands of Kenya

Abstract

We describe a new species of chameleon, Trioceros kinangopensis sp. nov., from Kinangop Peak in the Aberdare mountains, central highlands of Kenya. The proposed new species is morphologically and genetically distinct from other member of the bitaeniatus-group. It is morphologically most similar to T. schubotzi but differs in the lack of sexual size dimorphism, smaller-sized females, smoother, less angular canthus rostrales, smaller scales on the temporal region and a bright orange gular crest in males. Mitochondrial DNA indicates that the proposed new taxon is a distinct lineage that is closely related to T. nyirit and T. schubotzi. The distribution of T. kinangopensis sp. nov. appears to be restricted to the afroalpine zone in vicintiy of Kinangop Peak and fires may pose a serious threat to the long-term survival of this species. Copyright © 2012 · Magnolia Press.