Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon)

Pictures

Picture	Title	Caption	Copyright
Title Adult Caption Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon); adult. Maui, Hawaii, USA. Copyright Public Domain - released by Rich Torres, Burlingame, California, USA.	Adult	Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon); adult. Maui, Hawaii, USA.	Public Domain - released by Rich Torres, Burlingame, California, USA.
Title Male Caption Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon), male from Holualoa, Hawaii, Hawaii. July, 2010. Copyright ©Dr Kenneth Krysko-2010 - All Rights Reserved	Male	Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon), male from Holualoa, Hawaii, Hawaii. July, 2010.	©Dr Kenneth Krysko-2010 - All Rights Reserved
Title Female Caption Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon), female from Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, USA. July, 2013. Copyright ©Dr Kenneth Krysko-2013 - All Rights Reserved	Female	Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon), female from Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, USA. July, 2013.	©Dr Kenneth Krysko-2013 - All Rights Reserved

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

• Trioceros jacksonii Boulenger, 1896

Preferred Common Name

• Jackson’s chameleon

Other Scientific Names

• Chamaeleo (Trioceros) jacksonii Klaver and Böhme 1986
• Chamaeleo jacksoni jacksoni Werner 1911
• Chamaeleo jacksoni merumontana Rand 1958
• Chamaeleo jacksonii merumontanus Eason, Ferguson and Hebrard 1988
• Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus Eason, Ferguson and Hebrard 1988
• Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus Eason et al. 1988
• Chamaeleon jacksoni Tornier 1899
• Chamaeleon jacksoni vauerescecae Tornier 1903
• Chamaeleon jacksonii Boulenger 1896
• Trioceros jacksonii Tilbury and Tolley 2009
• Trioceros jacksonii jacksonii Tilbury and Tolley 2009
• Trioceros jacksonii merumontanus Tilbury 2010
• Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus Tilbury and Tolley 2009

Local Common Names

• Germany: Dreihorn-Chamäleon
• USA: yellow-crested Jackson’s chameleon

Summary of Invasiveness

T. jacksonii is an arboreal lizard native to Kenya and Tanzania that has been introduced via the pet trade to the US states of California (McKeown, 1997), Hawaii (McKeown, 1991; 1996; Goldberg et al., 2004; Kraus, 2006; 2009) and Florida (K.L. Krysko, pers. obs.). It is established only in California and Hawaii. T. jacksonii depends on its slow movements and cryptic colouration to blend into the surrounding environment. It attains a size of up to 160 mm snout-vent length and is sexually dimorphic (Eason et al., 1988; Kraus and Preston, 2011; 2012). The main ecological impacts of T. jacksonii are currently on native animals in Hawaii that may be consumed as prey, including insects (Kraus et al., 2012) and snails (Holland et al., 2010).

Taxonomic Tree

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Metazoa
•         Phylum: Chordata
•             Subphylum: Vertebrata
•                 Class: Reptilia
•                     Order: Squamata
•                         Species: Trioceros jacksonii

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Chamaeleonidae is diverse family of lizards, with over 200 currently recognized species distributed throughout Africa, southern Europe and Asia (Tilbury and Tolley, 2009). Many taxonomic descriptions are based on coloration and anatomy, and more recently phylogenetics (Rand, 1958; Klaver and Böhme, 1986; Tilbury and Tolley, 2009; Tilbury, 2010). Based on both anatomical and phylogenetic data, Tilbury and Tolley (2009) elevated the subgenus Trioceros to generic level status, hence the currently recognized name Trioceros jacksonii.

Description

Trioceros is confined to Africa and is the only genus with the development of cylindrical annulated bony horns, although not all taxa or individuals in the genus have this character (Klaver and Böhme, 1986; Tilbury and Tolley, 2009).

T. jacksonii is a small to medium sized lizard, up to 160 mm snout-vent length (SVL) and sexually dimorphic (Eason et al., 1988; Kraus and Preston, 2011; 2012). Adult males are emerald green, with a darker green or turquoise head with three annulated horns on their head (one rostral and two preocular). A yellow lateral stripe and vertical bars may be present (Eason et al., 1988; Tilbury and Tolley, 2009). Adult females are green to grey with darker blotches, usually with two or more light stripes extending from the eye to the angle of the jaw, and may have either zero, one, or three horns, but if present they are considerably reduced in length compared to males (Eason et al., 1988). This species has a distinct yellowish dorsal crest made up of cone-shaped scales (Eason et al., 1988). Vestiges of gular and ventral crests may be present (Eason et al., 1988). T. jacksonii has eyes that move independently, an extendable tongue, zygodactylous feet, a long prehensile tail that is slightly shorter than SVL (Eason et al., 1988), and the ability to change colour depending on mood (McKeown, 1996; Schmidt, 2001).

Distribution

T. jacksonii is native to Kenya and Tanzania (Mertens, 1966; Eason et al., 1988; Tilbury and Tolley, 2009). It has been introduced to the USA (Kraus 2009) in California (McKeown, 1997), Hawaii (McKeown, 1991; 1996; Goldberg et al., 2004; Kraus, 2006), and Florida (K.L. Krysko, pers. obs.); however, it is established only in California and Hawaii.

Distribution Table

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

History of Introduction and Spread

In Hawaii, T. jacksonii was introduced via the pet trade from Kenya to Oahu in 1972. By 1980 there were at least five different populations on Oahu; by the mid-1990s T. jacksonii was established on Maui and the eastern side of the Big Island, and in 1995 it was also established on Lanai (McKeown, 1996). In 2010, the first known specimens were collected on the western side of the Big Island (K.L. Krysko, pers. obs.; F. Kraus, pers. comm.). It has not been found on Kauai (KISC, 2015).

In California, T. jacksonii was first introduced via the pet trade in 1981 and has since established populations along the Pacific Coast in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County; Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County; and San Diego, San Diego County (de Vosjoli and Ferguson, 1995; McKeown, 1997).

Introductions

Risk of Introduction

T. jacksonii is an arboreal lizard which depends on its slow movements and cryptic coloration to blend into the surrounding environment. With its zygodactylous feet and prehensile tail, it grasps firmly onto vegetation when disturbed, and can thus be transported on vegetation to nonindigenous areas without being detected. Additionally, this species is commonly kept in captivity by pet fanciers and intentionally released to establish new populations (Kraus et al., 2012; Kraus and Preston, 2012).

Habitat

T. jacksonii is found in wet montane and evergreen forests and their peripheries, in gardens and in coffee plantations up to 2800 m elevation (Tilbury and Tolley, 2009; Kraus et al., 2012).

Habitat List

Climate

Latitude/Altitude

Air Temperature

Means of Movement and Dispersal

Intentional introduction

According to McKeown (1996), T. jacksonii was introduced in 1972 on Oahu, Hawaii, when a pet store owner released several dozen sick imported individuals into his yard in the hope that they would recover. However, Kraus et al. (2012) reported that McKeown admitted that hundreds of chameleons born in western USA pet shops were imported to Hawaii during the 1970s and released in multiple locations to establish additional populations (Kraus et al., 2012). Populations spread quickly as chameleons were translocated to other locations and islands (Kraus et al., 2012).

Pathway Causes

Pathway Vectors

Impact Summary

Environmental Impact

Impact on biodiversity

The main ecological impacts of T. jacksonii are currently on native animals in Hawaii that may be consumed as prey, such as insects (Kraus et al., 2012) and snails (Holland et al., 2010). KISC (2015) describes it as a threat to the native birds, insects, spiders and snails found on Kauai, Hawaii, as well as being a potential prey base for brown tree snakes and other snakes.

Threatened Species

Risk and Impact Factors

Impact mechanisms

• Predation
• Rapid growth

Impact outcomes

• Negatively impacts animal health
• Reduced native biodiversity
• Threat to/ loss of endangered species
• Threat to/ loss of native species

Invasiveness

• Abundant in its native range
• Capable of securing and ingesting a wide range of food
• Fast growing
• Has a broad native range
• Has high reproductive potential
• Highly adaptable to different environments
• Highly mobile locally
• Long lived
• Pioneering in disturbed areas
• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Tolerant of shade
• Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc

Likelihood of entry/control

• Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
• Difficult to identify/detect in the field
• Difficult/costly to control
• Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally
• Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
• Highly likely to be transported internationally illegally

Uses

Social benefit

T. jacksonii is viewed by many as an interesting exotic species because of its horns, long tongue and remarkable feeding behaviour (Kraus et al., 2012). Thus, many people have moved it to their property and try to protect it from being removed from the wild.

Uses List

General

• Botanical garden/zoo
• Laboratory use
• Pet/aquarium trade
• Research model

Materials

• Bones

Detection and Inspection

T. jacksonii can be found during the day and at night. During the day time, intensive visual inspections of vegetation can reveal slowly moving chameleons (Hagey et al., 2010), whereas during night time chameleons are easily found by using flash lights (Krysko et al., 2004; Gillette et al., 2010). 

Similarities to Other Species/Conditions

The subspecies T. jacksonii xantholophis (Eason et al., 1988) is believed to be introduced to Hawaii and California (McKeown, 1991; 1996). This taxon is distinguished from the other two subspecies (T. jacksonii jacksonii and T. jacksonii merumontanus) by having a greater snout-vent length (SVL; mean 123.7 mm vs. 104.6 mm and 78.4 mm, respectively), more convex postocular and occipital scales, light parietal and dorsal crest scale pigmentation, a greater number of interorbital scales (mean = 7.7) and a smaller crest interval relative to crest scale cluster size (mean = 0.4 vs. 0.6) (Eason et al., 1988).

Prevention and Control

SPS measures

In 1973, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture prohibited the importation, sale and possession of T. jacksonii (Kraus et al., 2012). In 1991, legislation enactment of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 4-71 incorporated an official List of Prohibited Animals, and in 1992 T. jacksonii was included in this list as a restricted species (Kraus et al., 2012). This allowed for possession and sale of locally obtained animals, but still prohibited importation and inter-island transfer (Kraus et al., 2012). In 1998, HAR Chapter 13-124 made it illegal to export T. jacksonii to the US mainland (Kraus et al., 2012). T. jacksonii is currently listed as CITES Appendix II, which includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs

Although many aspects of the natural history of T. jacksonii have been reported, data are needed on population density, movement patterns, reproduction and other aspects of its biology. A phylogeographic analysis using specimens from introduced populations could be conducted to test invasion pathway and native range hypotheses.

References

Boulenger GA, 1896. Description of a new chameleon from Uganda. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 17:376.

Eason PK, Ferguson GW, Hebrard J, 1988. Variation in Chamaeleo jacksonii (Sauria, Chamaeleonidae): Description of a New Subspecies. Copeia, 1988:580-590.

Gillette CR, Krysko KL, Wasilewski JA, Kieckhefer IIIGN, Metzger IIIEF, Rochford MR, Cueva D, 2010. Oustalet's Chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard 1894) (Chamaeleonidae), a Non-indigenous Species Newly Established in Florida. Amphibians & Reptiles: Conservation and Natural History, 17:248-249.

Goldberg SR, Bursey CR, Kraus F, 2004. Natural history notes: Chamaeleo jacksoni: endoparasites. Herpetological Review, 35:387-388.

Hagey TJ, Losos JB, Harmon LJ, 2010. Cruise foraging of invasive chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus) in Hawaii. Breviora, 519:1-7.

Holland BS, Montgomery SL, Costello V, 2010. A reptilian smoking gun: first record of invasive Jackson's chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) predation on native Hawaiian species. Biodiversity and Conservation, 19(5):1437-1441. http://www.springerlink.com/content/t8848p5q03319146/fulltext.html

KISC, 2015. Jackson's Chameleon. Kauai Invasive Species Committee. http://www.kauaiisc.org/jacksons-chameleon/ Accessed 02/10/15

Klaver CJJ, Böhme W, 1986. Phylogeny and classification of the Chamaeleonidae (Sauria) with special reference to hemipenis morphology. Bonner Zoologische Monographien, 22:1-64.

Kraus F, 2006. New records of alien lizards from Maui County. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 88:61-62.

Kraus F, 2009. Invading nature: Springer series in invasion ecology 4. Springer, 563 pp.

Kraus F, Medeiros A, Preston D, Jarnevich CS, Rodda GH, 2012. Diet and conservation implications of an invasive chameleon, Chamaeleo jacksonii (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) in Hawaii. Biological Invasions, 14(3):579-593. http://www.springerlink.com/content/32721672x18186qk/

Kraus F, Preston D, 2011. Diet analysis of the invasive Lizard Chamaeleo jacksonii from a wet forest habitat in Hawaii. Final Report, Contribution No. 2011-011. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: Hawaii Invasive Species Council, 10 pp.

Kraus F, Preston D, 2012. Diet of the invasive lizard Chamaeleo jacksonii (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) at a wet-forest site in Hawai'i. Pacific Science, 66(3):397-404. http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/journals

Krysko KL, Enge KM, King FW, 2004. The Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus: a new exotic species in Florida. Florida Scientist, 67:249-253.

McKeown S, 1991. Jackson's chameleons in Hawaii are the recently described Mt. Kenya subspecies, Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 26:49.

McKeown S, 1996. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands. Los Osos, California, USA: Diamond Head Publishing, 173 pp.

McKeown S, 1997. Notes on an established population of Jackson's chameleons (Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus) in California. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 32:101.

Mertens R, 1966. List of novel amphibians and reptiles: Chamaeleonidae. (Liste der rezenten Amphibien und Reptilien: Chamaeleonidae.) Das Tierreich, 83:1-37.

Necas P, 1999. Chameleons - Nature's Hidden Jewels. Frankfurt, Germany: Edition Chimaira, 348 pp.

Rand AS, 1958. A new subspecies of Chamaeleo jacksoni Boulenger and a key to the species of three-horned chameleons. Breviora, 99:1-8.

Schmidt W, 2001. Chamaeleo calyptratus, the Yemen Chameleon. Berlin, USA: Matthias Schmidt Publ., Natur und Tier-Verlag, 79 pp.

Tilbury CR, 2010. Chameleons of Africa: An Atlas, Including the Chameleons of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Frankfurt, USA: Edition Chimaira, 831 pp.

Tilbury CR, Tolley KA, 2009. A re-appraisal of the systematics of the African genus Chamaeleo (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae). Zootaxa, 2079:57-68.

Tornier G, 1899. New chameleons. (Neues über Chamaeleons.) Zoologischer Anzeiger, 22:408-414.

Tornier G, 1904. Three new reptiles of East Africa. (Drei neue Reptilien aus Ost-Afrika. Zoologische Jahrbucher.) Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere [Zoological Yearbook, Department of Systematics, Geography and Biology of Animals], 19:173-178.

Vosjoli Pde , Ferguson G, 1995. Care And Breeding of Panther, Jackson's, Veiled and Parson's Chameleons. Santee, California, USA: The Herpetological Library, Advanced Vivarium Systems, 128 pp.

Werner F, 1911. Chamaeleontidae. Das Tierreich, 27:1-52.

Links to Websites

Organisations

USA: Bishop Museum (BM), 1525 Bernice Street,, Honolulu, Hawaii, http://www.bishopmuseum.org/

Principal Source

Draft datasheet under review

Contributors

15/04/15 Original text by:

Kenneth Krysko, University of Florida, USA

Distribution Maps

• = Present, no further details
• = Evidence of pathogen
• = Widespread
• = Last reported
• = Localised
• = Presence unconfirmed
• = Confined and subject to quarantine
• = See regional map for distribution within the country
• = Occasional or few reports

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