Demographic and genetic variability in Cape Dwarf Chameleons, Bradypodion pumilum, withink a fragmented, urban habitat

• Main Author: Katz, Eric Michael
• Other Authors: Tolley, Krystal A
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Zoology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11220

Includes bibliographical references. === Habitat fragmentation is recognized as a primary cause of biodiversity loss. To maximize biodiversity maintenance, researchers in the field of conservation biology often investigate population demography and genetic variability for species inhabiting fragmented landscapes. Findings from such work enable effective conservation management, maximizing viability for potentially imperiled populations. Previous research has relied predominately on spatial analysis when investigating population demography and genetic variability; however, temporal analysis is also important to species conservation. As of 2006, reptiles and amphibians had the highest threat status among small, terrestrial vertebrates, warranting continual investigation of herpetofaunal species inhabiting fragmented landscapes. Of the two, reptiles are the more poorly studied, though are suggested to be equally or more threatened than amphibians. The Cape Dwarf Chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum, exemplifies one potentially threatened reptile species which has suffered habitat loss, due to urbanization, inducing fragmentation and transformation among much of its habitat. As a result, many B. pumilum populations currently exist as a collection of isolated groups inhabiting critically endangered ecosystems.