The population status of chameleons within Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar, and recommendations for future monitoring

Malagasy chameleons are threatened by the relentless pace of habitat destru ction. Their great popularity amongst herpetoculturalists has also resulted in collection for international animal markets. Most previous fieldwork ha s focused on the compilation of much needed species inventories, but little attention has been given to estimating chameleon population densities. Thi s lack of information prevents a reliable assessment of the effects of habi tat loss and direct exploitation on wild populations. A simple and repeatab le methodology for the monitoring of chameleon populations is therefore urg ently required. The present study developed sun ey techniques based on dist ance sampling within an area of relatively undisturbed rain forest at Ranom afana National Park. In total 394 individuals from six species were recorde d and population densities (+/- SE) of 27.2 +/- 5.4/ha Brookesia spp and 21 .4 +/- 4.0/ha Calumma spp. were estimated using the computer program DISTAN CE. The authors propose that monitoring of chameleons in areas subject to d ifferent threats should begin immediately using the methods outlined in thi s paper.