Chamaeleo incognitus or Chamaeleo ignotus? Questioning the taxonomic validity of a new chameleon species

Abstract

Recently, a paper published in the non-indexed online periodical Archaius, described a purportedly new species in the Chamaeleo dilepis species complex based on morphology and elevational range. We provide a critical review of this description, examine its shortfalls and provide a rationale in terms of the ICZN as to why this taxon name is currently unavailable as it has not been validly described and promulgated. We show that morphology alone is unreliable for species delimitation in this group and that previously published phylogenetic data do not uphold the claims made to define the new species. We argue that the erection of this new taxon is unscientific because it is based more on opinion than evidence. Furthermore, we argue that the elevated species C. roperi and C. martensi should not be recognised as full species, and we formally change their rank back to subspecies of C. dilepis. Lastly, we comment on the publication of a taxonomic decision in a journal whose founder, publisher and editor is the sole author of the paper in question, posing a conflict of interest in terms of scientific integrity.