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The Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier 1829) (Chamaeleonidae), Another Introduced Chameleon Species in Florida

Authors:
Michael R Rochford at University of Florida
Michael R Rochford
Jake Edwards at United States Army
Jake Edwards
Patricia L. Howell
Patricia L. Howell
Patricia L. Howell
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Jennifer Ketterlin at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Jennifer Ketterlin
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IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 20(4):205–207 • DEC 2013
The Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier 1829),
is indigenous to Madagascar, where it is found most
commonly along riverine habitats and forest-like bands
along roads (Andreone et al. 2005). Males from northwest-
ern Madagascar can reach 229 mm in snout-vent length
(SVL) and are generally larger than females (Andreone et al.
INTRODUCED SPECIES
IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • VOL15, NO 4 • DEC 2008 189TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURE ARTICLES
Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Wisconsin:
On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190
The Shared History of Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada:
A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198
RESEARCH ARTICLES
The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204
The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida
.............................................Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, Kevin M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212
CONSERVATION ALERT
World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220
More Than Mammals ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223
The “Dow Jones Index” of Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 225
HUSBANDRY
Captive Care of the Central Netted Dragon ....................................................................................................... Shannon Plummer 226
PROFILE
Kraig Adler: A Lifetime Promoting Herpetology ................................................................................................ Michael L. Treglia 234
COMMENTARY
The Turtles Have Been Watching Me ........................................................................................................................ Eric Gangloff 238
BOOK REVIEW
Threatened Amphibians of the World edited by S.N. Stuart, M. Hoffmann, J.S. Chanson, N.A. Cox,
R. Berridge, P. Ramani, and B.E. Young .............................................................................................................. Robert Powell 243
CONSERVATION RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Conservation Research Reports ................................. 245
NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Reports on Natural History ................................. 247
NEWBRIEFS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 248
EDITORIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 251
FOCUS ON CONSERVATION: A Project You Can Support ............................................................................................... 252
Front Cover. Shannon Plummer.
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estibus inveliquo velique rerchil
erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus
aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum
fugiatis maionsequat eumque
moditia erere nonsedis ma sectiatur
ma derrovitae voluptam, as quos
accullabo.
Back Cover. Michael Kern
Totat et velleseque audant mo
estibus inveliquo velique rerchil
erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus
aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum
fugiatis maionsequat eumque
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IRCF
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY
WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNAL
The Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis
(Cuvier 1829) (Chamaeleonidae),
Another Introduced Chameleon Species
in Florida
Michael R. Rochford1, Jake R. Edwards2, Patricia L. Howell3, Jennifer Ketterlin Eckles2, Liz A. Barraco2, Laurence L. Connor4,
Michelle J. Curtis1, Kenneth L. Krysko5, and Frank J. Mazzotti1
1University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA (MRR: miker@ufl.edu, FJM: fjma@ufl.edu)
2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA
(JRE: jake.edwards@myfwc.com, JKE: jennifer.eckles@myfwc.com, LB: liz.barraco@myfwc.com)
3Broward County Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources and Land Management Section, 950 NW, 38 Street, Oakland Park, Florida 33309, USA (phowell@broward.org)
4Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 601 West Woodward Avenue, Eustis, Florida 32726, USA (larry.connor@myfwc.com)
5Division of Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, 1659 Museum Road, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA (kenneyk@ufl.edu)
205
Copyright © 2013. Michael R. Rochford. All rights reserved.
Fig. 1. Adult male Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) (UF-Herpetology 170801), collected on 10 July 2013 in Coconut Creek, Broward County,
Florida. Photograph by Michael R. Rochford.
206
INTRODUCED SPECIES IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 20(4):205–207 • DEC 2013
2005). A single F. pardalis was introduced in DeSoto County,
Florida, USA (Krysko et al. 2011), but it appeared to be an
isolated individual. Herein, we report six F. pardalis from a
small area in Broward County, Florida, that may represent a
group of released or escaped animals or an incipient, repro-
ducing population.
On 10 July 2013, PLH reported to the Early Detection
and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS, www.edd-
maps.org) an adult male Furcifer pardalis (photographic
voucher UF-Herpetology 170801) from the Helene Klein
Nature Preserve at 4701 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Coconut
Creek, Broward County, Florida (26.31881°N, 80.18952°W,
Datum WGS84, 5 m elevation). On 11 July 2013, a perim-
eter night-time survey of this property was conducted by
MRR and JRE; it resulted in one sub-adult female F. pardalis
(photographic voucher UF-Herpetology 170802) sleeping on
a Gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba) ca. 2 m above the ground
at 2056 h (26.31937°N, 80.18777°W). On 21 July 2013,
during another night-time survey, a local resident approached
MRR, JRE, JKE, and PLH, and without solicitation asked
if we were looking for chameleons. The resident informed
us that he had found two chameleons DOR on NW 71st
Place where it borders the northern side of the Helene Klein
Pineland Preserve. On 31 July 2013, MRR contacted the
pastor at North Creek Presbyterian Church, 4601 NW 71st
Place, and was told that his wife had found a single adult male
F. pardalis (photographic voucher UF-Herpetology 170514)
on 1 June 2013 on the church walkway (26.31996°N,
80.18689°W). On 31 July 2013, we conducted a night-
time survey of the church grounds and found a sub-adult
female F. pardalis (photographic voucher UF-Herpetology
170526) sleeping on an Oak (Quercus sp.) ca. 3 m above the
ground (26.32037°N, 80.18803°W). Digital images of our
live chameleons were sent to Christopher V. Anderson (pers.
comm.), who confirmed our identification. In total, we spent
46.45 man-hours to find two F. pardalis; however, much of
this time was spent away from the core area in an effort to
determine the geographic limits of this biological invasion.
At least six F. pardalis, including adults and juveniles of
both sexes, have been found within 300 m of each other, sug-
gesting that they might represent a reproducing population.
This population might have been extirpated, or it could be
persisting in low numbers. If this species has indeed repro-
duced there, more individuals could be found over long
Fig. 2. Female Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) (UF-Herpetology 170802), collected on 11 July 2013 in Coconut Creek, Broward County, Florida.
Photograph by Kenneth L. Krysko.
INTRODUCED SPECIES
207
IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 20(4):205–207 • DEC 2013
periods of time in the same fashion as the invasion of the
Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), in Fort Myers,
Lee County, Florida (Krysko et al. 2004). Despite continued
removal of all C. calyptratus found at that site, chameleons
are still being found and removed 10 years later because of
their reproductive behavior (i.e., eggs are laid underground
and hatch at different times of the year).
The introduction pathway of Furcifer pardalis in Broward
County is the pet trade. An open cage ideal for hous-
ing chameleons was found by MJC during a survey on 08
August 2013 at the northwestern corner of the North Creek
Presbyterian Church, and this may be where the introduc-
tion occurred. Chamaeleo calyptratus is established in several
locations in Florida (Krysko et al. 2004, 2011; Gillette and
Krysko 2012) as is at least one population of Furcifer oustaleti
(Gillette et al. 2010), and both of these species are intention-
ally being translocated to new sites (Ruben Ramirez, pers.
comm). Two specimens of Chamaeleo senegalensis and one
specimen of Trioceros melleri also have been found in Florida,
but these appear to be waifs, and reproduction is not believed
to have occurred in the wild (Krysko et al. 2011).
In this case, a cooperative interagency approach resulted
in the early detection of Furcifer pardalis in Florida and
ensured a rapid response to an introduced but hopefully not
established population. Short of prevention, early detection
and rapid response is the most effective way to deal with non-
native species (Wittenberg and Cock 2001). We recommend
continued surveys of Helene Klein Nature Preserve and sur-
rounding areas with the goal of eradicating the population
as we determine if reproduction and dispersal are occur-
ring. Chamaeleo calyptratus has tentatively been eradicated in
Hawai’i (Mahnken and Radford 2011), demonstrating that
the extirpation of an exotic chameleon species from an area
it has invaded appears to be possible. The earlier the effort
is made, the more likely eradication is, and action should be
taken now while the problem is manageable.
Acknowledgments
We thank Seth Farris, Michiko Squires, Alissa Gulette,
and Linda Briggs for assistance with surveys. North Creek
Presbyterian Church granted us permission to survey their
property and provided valuable specimen information. Our
Lady of the Sign Catholic Church also granted us permission
to access their property. Christopher V. Anderson graciously
confirmed identification of photographed specimens. Ruben
Ramirez supplied information on introduced lizard translo-
cations, and Gad Perry, Robert Powell, Kevin Enge, Kristen
Sommers, Doc Kokol, and an anonymous reviewer provided
helpful comments on this paper.
Literature Cited
Andreone, F., F.M. Guarino, and J.E. Randrianirina. 2005. Life history traits, age
profile, and conservation of the Panther Chameleon Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier
1829), at Nosy Be, NW Madagascar. Tropical Zoology 18:209–225.
Gillette, C.R. and K.L. Krysko. 2012. New county record for the Veiled Chameleon,
Chamaeleo calyptratus Duméril and Bibron 1851 (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae),
in Florida. Reptiles & Amphibians 19:130–131.
Gillette, C.R., K.L. Krysko, J.A. Wasilewski, G.N. Kieckhefer III, E.F. Metzger III,
M.R. Rochford, D. Cueva, and D.C. Smith. 2010. Oustalet’s Chameleon,
Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard 1894) (Chamaeleonidae), a non-indigenous spe-
cies newly established in Florida. Reptiles & Amphibians 17:248–249.
Krysko, K.L., K.M. Enge, and F.W. King. 2004. The Veiled Chameleon,
Chamaeleo calyptratus: A new exotic lizard species in Florida. Florida Scientist
67:249–253.
Krysko, K.L., J.P. Burgess, M.R. Rochford, C.R. Gillette, D. Cueva, K.M. Enge,
L.A. Somma, J.L. Stabile, D.C. Smith, J.A. Wasilewski, G.N. Kieckhefer III,
M.C. Granatosky, and S.V. Nielsen. 2011. Verified non-indigenous amphib-
ians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010: Outlining the invasion
process and identifying invasion pathways and stages. Zootaxa 3028:1–64.
Mahnken, B. and A. Radford. 2011. Eradicated? Maui menace meets maker.
Abstract. 2011 Hawai’i Conservation Conference, 2–4 August 2011.
Honolulu, Hawai’i.
Wittenbert, R. and M.J.W. Cock. 2001. Invasive Alien Species: A Toolkit for Best
Prevention and Management Practices. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.
... We encourage the reporting of sightings of chameleons, especially those seen outside of the shaded areas indicated on this map: take a digital picture of the lizard and report your observation to EDDMapS.org. Credits: Tracy Bryant, UF/IFAS Communications sleeping in gumbo-limbo trees (Rochford et al. 2013). They have been documented in numerous, broadly distributed locations throughout the peninsula. ...
... They have been documented in numerous, broadly distributed locations throughout the peninsula. Although some are individual occurrences of single escaped pets, multiple individuals have been reported from a small area in Broward County that likely has a reproducing population (Rochford et al. 2013). Additionally, there appear to be other small but established populations in several other counties in the central peninsula (Fieldsend et al. 2021). ...
Florida's Nonnative Herpetofauna: Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), Oustalet’s Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti), and Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis): WEC456/UW501, 12/2022
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... The Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier 1829), is native to Madagascar (Raxworthy et al. 2002). This species was first discovered in Florida in 2008 (Krysko et al. 2011), is now established (Krysko et al. 2016), and has been reported or documented by voucher specimens from seven counties: Broward (Rochford et al. 2013 Panther Chameleons exhibit striking sexual dimorphism, with adult male coloration varying from blue, green, or gray to brown or red, whereas adult females are generally drab tan or brown (Krysko et al. 2019). Moreover, the color polymorphism exhibited by adult males of allopatric Panther Chameleon populations in Madagascar is spatially structured and reflects underlying interpopulation genetic diversity (Grbic et al. 2015). ...
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... Reports received through word-of-mouth communication and through the South Florida Water Management District's python removal program have led to probable extirpations of veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) from a natural area near Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) from a natural area in Broward County by the University of Florida (UF) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) (Rochford et al. 2013). An interagency effort by UF and FWC also led to the removal of a Nile crocodile from Everglades National Park ( Figure 5). ...
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More nonindigenous species occur in Florida, USA, than any other region worldwide and may threaten many of Florida's natural resources. The frequency of new reports mandates the need for regular updates. Herein, we use photographic and specimen vouchers in addition to literature records to provide updated information on verified nonindigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida. Between our most recent summary in 2012 and the end of 2015, 38 additional species are known to have been intercepted (n=2) or introduced (n=36). We also update the invasion stage of seven species previously reported from Florida and report that five additional taxa are now established. In total 191 independent known introductions of 180 herpetofaunal taxa led to the establishment of 63 taxa. This suggests that one in three introduced herpetofaunal species becomes established in Florida. The pet trade represents the most common introduction pathway among these species and a single animal importer in Hollywood, Broward County, is the probable source for introduction of a quarter of all herpetofauna introduced to Florida.
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Life history traits, age profile, and conservation of the panther chameleon, Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier 1829), at Nosy Be, NW Madagascar
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The morphometry, age structure, and abundance of the panther chameleon Furcifer pardalis (Cuvier 1829) were studied at Nosy Be (NW Madagascar). Males were larger and heavier than females (SVL, 138.38 ± 35.94 vs 91.92 ± 18.48 mm; mass, 61.06 ± 39.86 vs 22.62 ± 13.17 g). The age, assessed by skeletochronology, was usually less than one year, with a maximum of 2 years. The density estimate for adult individuals was higher along roads (42.21/ha) than in agricultural habitats far from roads (17.43/ha). Compared to other species of Malagasy chameleons, F. pardalis is infrequent in pristine and close forests, while, like other Furcifer species, it is more closely associated with riverine habitats. The higher concentration of individuals in forest-like bands along roads is explained by the presence of a suitable vegetation band along roads and the similarity of this habitat to the riverine and ecotonal forests preferred by chameleons of the genus Furcifer. The life history traits, high fecundity and short life span indicate that the current collecting rate does not affect the abundance of F. pardalis. Measures of chameleon conservation at Nosy Be should consider the preservation of the anthropogenic forest band.
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Verified non-indigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010: Outlining the invasion process and identifying invasion pathways and stages
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We follow a biological invasion model that consists of a series of five consecutive obligatory stages, concluding with stages 4a and 5 (i.e., widespread = invasive species). The State of Florida is infamous for having the most introduced (stages 2-5) amphibians and reptiles in the United States. However, there is disagreement regarding their numbers as well as identification in some cases. Unverified claims of species being introduced (stage 2), or established (stages 3-5) without evidence (i.e., a voucher specimen or photograph) are prevalent in the literature. It is crucial to provide data on all known non-indigenous herpetofaunal species via vouchers to help keep numbers of species consistent, accurately identify species, document when and where a particular species is found, and identify the invasion pathway and current invasion stage of each species. In this study, we use vouchers to confirm interceptions and introductions of all known non-indigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010, provide a list of these species along with their invasion pathways and current ecological status (i.e., invasion stage), and provide a species account for each newly confirmed species. We include species that were previously reported in the literature but lacking an associated voucherand provide greater details on previously reported species and those species whose invasion stage has been upgraded to established (stages 3-5). Based on nearly two decades of field work along with examination of museum records and literature, we confirm three intercepted and 137 introduced amphibian and reptile taxa in Florida. Of these, 56 are established (i.e., reproducing; stages 3-5), including three frogs, four turtles, one crocodilian, 43 lizards, and five snakes. Of 149 total independent introduction pathways (i.e., including a different pathway one time only for each taxon) for the 140 total non-indigenous taxa above, two (1.34%) are related to the biological control pathway, four (2.68%) to the zoo pathway, 18 (12.08%) to the cargo pathway, and 125 (83.89%) to the pet trade pathway. Florida now ranks as having the largest number of established non-indigenous herpetofaunal species in the entire world. Despite current state laws that make it illegal to release any non-indigenous animal in Florida without first obtaining a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, enforcement is difficult, and no person has ever been prosecuted for the establishment of a non-indigenous animal species in Florida. Because current state and federal laws have not been effective in curtailing the ever-increasing number of illegal introductions, laws need to be modified and made enforceable. At the very least, those responsible for introductions should be held accountable for compensation to clean up (= extermination) of those species for which they are responsible. Lastly, we strongly support the creation of an Early Detection and Rapid Response program to quickly identify newly found introduced species for eradication attempts. This paper will also serve as a baseline to document future introductions.
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Eradicated? Maui menace meets maker. Abstract
  • Sep 2011
  • 2-4
  • B Mahnken
  • A Radford
Mahnken, B. and A. Radford. 2011. Eradicated? Maui menace meets maker. Abstract. 2011 Hawai'i Conservation Conference, 2–4 August 2011. Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Eradicated? Maui menace meets maker
  • Feb 2011
  • B Mahnken
  • A Radford
Mahnken, B. and A. Radford. 2011. Eradicated? Maui menace meets maker. Abstract. 2011 Hawai'i Conservation Conference, 2-4 August 2011. Honolulu, Hawai'i.