Chameleon Taxonomy

Old world chameleons are all classified within the family Chamaeleonidae. Within that family, two subfamilies are currently recognized (Brookesiinae and Chamaeleoninae) with twelve genera split between these two subfamilies. Of those genera, two are further split into five subgenera. This taxonomic breakdown is outlined in the following indented list representing the hirarchical taxonomic structure. Each taxonomic level is listed with its taxonomic authory following. A complete list of recognized species can be found on the Chameleon Species page.

Family: Chamaeleonidae Gray, 1825

     Subfamily: Brookesiinae Angel, 1942

          Genus: Brookesia Gray, 1865

               Subgenus: Brookesia Gray, 1865

               Subgenus: Evoluticauda Glaw, Köhler, Hawlitschek, Ratsoavina, Rakotoarison, Scherz & Vences, 2021

          Genus: Palleon Glaw, Hawlitschek & Ruthensteiner, 2013

     Subfamily: Chamaeleoninae Gray, 1825

          Genus: Archaius Gray, 1865

          Genus: Bradypodion Fitzinger, 1843

          Genus: Calumma Gray, 1865

          Genus: Chamaeleo Laurenti, 1768

          Genus: Furcifer Fitzinger, 1843

          Genus: Kinyongia Tilbury, Tolley & Branch, 2006

          Genus: Nadzikambia Tilbury, Tolley & Branch, 2006

          Genus: Rhampholeon Günther, 1874

               Subgenus: Bicuspis Loveridge, 1956

               Subgenus: Rhampholeon Günther, 1874

               Subgenus: Rhinodigitum Matthee, Tilbury & Townsend, 2004

          Genus: Rieppeleon Matthee, Tilbury & Townsend, 2004

          Genus: Trioceros Swainson, 1839