Brookesia nana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Brookesia
Species:
B. nana
Binomial name
Brookesia nana
Glaw et al., 2021[1]

Brookesia nana, also known as the nano-chameleon, is a species of chameleon endemic to montane rainforests in northern Madagascar.[2] Described in 2021, it could represent the world's smallest reptile.[1] Unlike some chameleons, Brookesia nana does not change colors.

The species was discovered by herpetologist Frank Glaw and other German researchers in 2021[1] in the rainforest on the Sorata massif in northern Madagascar. Brookesia nana is not arboreal, as it tends to inhabit the forest floor. It is likely that the species is endangered due to deforestation in Madagascar.[3] Miniaturism is believed to evolve from habitat loss. [4]

Description

The nano-chameleon is blotchy brown in color. Adult males measure 22 mm (0.87 inch) in total length (including tail), while females are slightly larger at 29 mm (1.1 inches).[1][5] Like other Brookesia species, females are generally larger than the males. The reasons for its diminutive size are currently unknown, as many vertebrates grow as they mature.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brookesia nana.
  1. 1 2 3 4 Glaw, Frank; Köhler, Jörn; Hawlitschek, Oliver; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M.; Rakotoarison, Andolalao; Scherz, Mark D. & Vences, Miguel (28 January 2021). "Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 2522. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80955-1. PMC 7844282. PMID 33510189.
  2. ↑ Bittel, Jason (1 February 2021). "New chameleon species may be world's smallest reptile". National Geographic. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 Andrew, Scottie (3 February 2021). "A newly discovered chameleon less than an inch long could be the world's smallest reptile". CNN. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  4. ↑ Sodikoff, Genese Marie (2021-09-10). "Shrunken Life: Discourses of the Cryptic and the Miniature in Madagascar". ETropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics. 20 (2): 55–73. doi:10.25120/etropic.20.2.2021.3820. ISSN 1448-2940.
  5. ↑ "'Smallest reptile on earth' discovered in Madagascar". BBC News. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.


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