Population status and roost characteristics of three traded dwarf chameleons outside protected areas in Central-Eastern Madagascar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22981429Keywords:
Brookesia spp., CITES, Ecology, Non-Detriment Finding, Population sizeAbstract
We conducted surveys to estimate densities and study perch characteristics of three internationally traded Brookesia species, such as B. superciliaris, B. therezieni, and B. thieli, from the eastern rainforest of Madagascar. This study was conducted in two forest fragments outside protected areas, which may serve as a collecting site for these species. We used distance sampling with line transects to search for the animals at night with a headlamp. In total, we encountered eight chameleon species, composed of four Brookesia and four Calumma, but our analysis was focused on the three targeted Brookesia species. We found that the number of encountered species varies from fragment to fragment, even within the same ecoregion, and the same was true for animal densities. This variation may be related to the site's geographic position, including its size and distance from a larger forest block. Roost characteristics differ between species, which may be related to their morphological shape. We recommend trade management for the target species, and our results can inform a new NDF formulation and export quota calculation. On the other hand, long-term monitoring and management of the collecting sites are recommended to ensure the viability of the species, considering their economic value.
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