Brookesia bekolosy is a species of chameleon that is endemic to Madagascar. It was described by Raxworthy and Nussbaum in 1995. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classed the species as Endangered, and in 1992 the single specimen of it was recorded.

Description and habitat

Brookesia bekolosy has only been collected once, being a single specimen from Bekolosy in the Manongarivo Special Reserve (Manongarivo Reserve) in the region of Diana^[1] in 1992.^[2] It is believed that the species can only be found at the Bekolosy Plateau, although further information is unknown. The habitat posited to be found at between 1,000 and 2,000 metres (3,300 and 6,600 feet) above mean sea level (AMSL).^[3] Despite lack of specifics as to its extent, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classed the Brookesia bekolosy as an Endangered species because it is not likely to cover more than 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 square miles), and it is found in an area where logging is becoming common. If the species turns out to be only found at the Bekolosy Plateau, then the species will be classed as Critically Endangered as it could only be found over an area of less than 100 square kilometres (39 square miles), and will decline in this area.^[2]

Taxonomy

Brookesia bekolosy was first described by Raxworthy and Nussbaum in 1995. Necas recorded the species as Brookesia bekolosy in 1999: 276.^[4] According to the ITIS (ITIS), the taxonomic status of the Brookesia bekolosy is valid, as of 2012.^[5]

References