The common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon is a Mediterranean lizard which has been introduced in many islands and its native origin in European countries is debated. Chameleons have been introduced in southern Italy, possibly from the Middle East and Tunisia. We conducted genetic analyses on mitochondrial DNA 16S gene on a larger sample. We observed a multiple origin for the Salento (Apulia, southern Italy) population, with individuals phylogenetically related to populations of North Africa and two areas in the Middle East. Some individuals may have been released before the 1950s and some others in the 1980s, improving the establishment success of this species.

Basso, R., Vannuccini, M.L., Nerva, L., Mazza, G., Seno, M., Mori, E. (2019). Multiple origins of the common chameleon in southern Italy. HERPETOZOA, 32, 11-19 [10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e35611].

Multiple origins of the common chameleon in southern Italy

Vannuccini, Maria Luisa;Mori, Emiliano
2019-01-01

Abstract

The common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon is a Mediterranean lizard which has been introduced in many islands and its native origin in European countries is debated. Chameleons have been introduced in southern Italy, possibly from the Middle East and Tunisia. We conducted genetic analyses on mitochondrial DNA 16S gene on a larger sample. We observed a multiple origin for the Salento (Apulia, southern Italy) population, with individuals phylogenetically related to populations of North Africa and two areas in the Middle East. Some individuals may have been released before the 1950s and some others in the 1980s, improving the establishment success of this species.
2019
Basso, R., Vannuccini, M.L., Nerva, L., Mazza, G., Seno, M., Mori, E. (2019). Multiple origins of the common chameleon in southern Italy. HERPETOZOA, 32, 11-19 [10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e35611].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1080936