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Type: Articles
Published: 2006-11-23
Page range: 23–38
Abstract views: 40
PDF downloaded: 1

A review of the systematics of the genus Bradypodion (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), with the description of two new genera

No. 2 The Bend, P.O. Box 347, Nottingham Road, 3280, KZN, South Africa Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Molecular Systematics Laboratory, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, P/Bag X7, Claremont 7735 South Africa Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa
Reptilia Chamaeleonidae Bradypodion Phylogeny new genera mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

Abstract

The taxonomic history and composition of the genus Bradypodion as construed by Klaver & Böhme (1986) and new morphological and molecular data relevant to the taxonomy of the group is reviewed. The combined evidence strongly supports a formal rearrangement of the group into three distinct genera. Bradypodion, type species Chamaeleo pumilus Daudin 1802, is retained for the southern African species. Two new genera are erected to accommodate additional well-diagnosed clades within central and east African species previously referred to Bradypodion. Species of the “fischeri complex” are assigned to Kinyongia gen. nova, whilst the endemic Mulanje chameleon is placed in the monotypic genus Nadzikambia gen. nova.

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