Researchers Say Miniaturized Chameleons May Represent Extreme Case of Island Dwarfism
Posted on February 15, 2012
Four tiny chameleon species were discovered on a tiny island off the coast of Madagascar. The smallest of the newly found chameleon species, Brookesia micra, is the smallest chameleon species ever found. These tiny creatures reach just 1 inch in length from the tip of their noses to the end of their tails.
The researchers say B. micra was active during the day when it could be found on the ground on eroded limestone boulders and dry forest leaf litter. At night it was found roosting on branches in very low vegetation - just 5 to 10 cm above the ground. It is found on only two sites on the small island of Nosy Hara, northern Madagascar.
The researchers say the limited distribution of Brookesia micra on a tiny islet means the species may represent an extreme case of island dwarfism.
The newly discovered dwarf chameleon species represent striking cases of miniaturization and microendemism and suggest the possibility of a range size-body size relationship in Malagasy reptiles. The newly described Brookesia micra reaches a maximum snout-vent length in males of 16 mm, and its total length in both sexes is less than 30 mm, ranking it among the smallest amniote vertebrates in the world. With a distribution limited to a very small islet, this species may represent an extreme case of island dwarfism.
You can read the complete research report on the tiny leaf chameleons here on PLoS One. Some large photos of B. micra can be seen here.
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