Superorder Lepidosauria Infraorder Iguania Higher classification Brookesia Order Scaled reptiles | Infraclass Lepidosauromorpha Suborder Lacertilia Family Chamaeleonidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Brookesia, Chameleons, Reptile, Paedophryne amauensis, Brookesia minima | ||
Brookesia micra
Brookesia micra is a species of chameleon from the island of Nosy Hara in Antsiranana, Madagascar. As of 14 February 2012, it is the smallest known chameleon and among the smallest reptiles. In length, adult Brookesia micra can grow up to 29 mm (1.1 in).
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Taxonomy
Brookesia micra was discovered and named by a team of researchers led by Frank Glaw of the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology. Glaw and his colleagues have been conducting expeditions into the Madagascan forests for eight years. Members of the species had previously been labelled as Brookesia sp. "Nosy Hara" in 2007 by Glaw and Vences.
Etymology
The specific epithet of B. micra is a derivation of the Latin form of the Greek word "μικρός" (mikros), which means either "tiny" or "small" and refers to the small body size.
Description
The males of Brookesia micra reach a maximum snout-vent length of 16 mm (0.63 in), and the total body length of both of the sexes is less than 30 mm (1.2 in), ranking it among the smallest amniote vertebrates found anywhere in the world. Compared to Brookesia minima, B. micra has a shorter tail and a larger head. Adults of B. micra also have orange tails, as opposed to an inconspicuous brown one. The size of the lizard may be linked to its habitat, due to insular dwarfism.
Distribution and habitat
Brookesia micra, together with three other species, were found in north Madagascar some time between 2003 and 2007. This species was discovered on a small islet off the coast of Madagascar. They typically reside in leaf litter during the day, and climb up into tree branches as high as 10 cm (3.9 in) at night to sleep. B. micra lives in an area subject to illegal logging, which may make the species "sensitive to habitat destruction", according to researcher Jorn Köhler.
