Pictures: Miniature Chameleons Discovered—Fit on Match Tip

Putting the Cute in Cuticle

Photograph courtesy Frank Glaw

Scientists think Brookesia micra (juvenile pictured) might have achieved its small size through a "double" island dwarfism effect, in which the dwarf species Brookesia minima on the Madagascan resort island of Nosy Be found its way to an islet, Nosy Hara, where it shrank even further.

"In this scenario, Madagascar, as a large island, led to the evolution of the Brookesia minima group, whereas the ... islet Nosy Hara might have favored the extreme miniaturization found in Brookesia micra," the researchers write.

(See more chameleon pictures.)

Published February 15, 2012

Not Amused?

Photograph courtesy Frank Glaw

On Madagascar a member of the newly discovered chameleon species Brookesia desperata peers at a photographer through widely spaced eyes.

The small sizes of the four new chameleon species make them especially vulnerable to habitat destruction, and some of their names were chosen to reflect this. The latter part of B. desperata's name, for example, means "desperate" in Latin.

"Its habitat is in truth barely protected and subject to numerous human-induced environmental problems resulting in severe habitat destruction, thus threatening the survival of the species," the scientists write.

Another species was named B. tristis, or "sorrowful"—a reference to "the fact that the entire known range of this species suffers from severe deforestation and habitat destruction."

(Also see "Tarzan Chameleon Found in Tarzan Forest, Near Tarzanville.")

Published February 15, 2012

The Terror of Tiny Town

Photograph courtesy Frank Glaw

Although the four new chameleon species look very similar (B. micra pictured), genetic analyses suggest the reptiles are in fact different species, according to the new study, published Wednesday.

(Related: "World's Smallest Frog Found-Fly-Size Beast Is Tiniest Vertebrate.")

Published February 15, 2012

Steely Gaze

Photograph courtesy Jörn Köhler

Seemingly embodying her species' new name—B. confidens, or "confident"—a female chameleon stares down a camera lens. The nomenclature, though, has little to do with the reptile itself.

Scientists chose the name because—unlike some of the other newly discovered chameleon species—B. confidens's range is a well-protected nature preserve, and the animal's home is not in immediate danger of habitat destruction by humans.

(Also see "New Pit Viper Found—One of World's Smallest.")

Published February 15, 2012

Watch Your Step

Photograph courtesy Frank Glaw

The smallest of the newly discovered chameleon species, Brookesia micra, was found near this small creek on the islet of Nosy Hara in northern Madagascar.

Scientists think the lizards live in leaf litter on the ground during the day but move up into the trees at night to sleep.

More: "Catapults" Give Chameleon Tongues Superspeed, Study Says >>

Published February 15, 2012