New Species of Dwarf Chameleons found in Madagascar

#1

Brookesia micra is a species of chameleon from the islet of Nosy Hara in Antsiranana, Madagascar. As of 14 February 2012, it is the smallest known chameleon and among the smallest reptiles.

The dwarf chameleon species that has been discovered is so tiny that a juvenile Brookesia micra can walk on the nail of an adult human fingertip, small enough to stand on the head of a match. According to the researchers, Brookesia micra reaches a maximum size of 16mm (slightly more than half an inch) in males, not including the tail and 30mm (1.1 inches) total length for both male and female, which ranks it as one of the smallest four-limbed animals in the world.

They were found to be active during the day on the ground in an area of eroded limestone boulders and dry forest leaf litter. It was also found at night roosting on branches in very low vegetation areas. The research paper details the genetic and physical makeup of each species and suggests that geographical disparity can cause "island dwarfism" and may have contributed to the extreme miniaturization.

Also known as stumped-tailed or leaf chameleons, these diminutive creatures are found in the leaf litter of rainforests and dry deciduous forests in much of Madagascar. Brookesia feed on small insects and reply on their cyptic coloration to evade predators. When disturbed, these chameleons will play dead in an effort to resemble a fallen leaf. Brookesia are easiest to find at night when they sleep on the leaves of small shrubs. 

Source: Wildmadagascar.org, reptilechannel

#2