rhamphotheca:

World’s Tiniest Chameleon Discovered

by Andrea Mustain

A species of chameleon small enough to easily perch on a match head has been discovered on a tiny island off Madagascar, a group of scientists has announced. In addition to the discovery of Brookesia micra, now the tiniest chameleon ever discovered, the researchers also announced the discovery of three additional tiny chameleon species. Adult males of the B. micra species grow to only just over a half-inch (16 millimeters) from nose to bottom, making them one of the smallest vertebrates ever found on Earth.

From nose to tail, adults of both sexes grow to only 1 inch (30 mm) in length. Lead researcher Frank Glaw said the team already had experience finding tiny lizards in Madagascar, “but it was also good luck.” The team searched for the tiny lizards under the cover of darkness, using headlamps and flashlights to seek out the sleeping chameleons. All four species are active during the day, and at night climb up into the branches to sleep.

But for such tiny critters, “up into the branches” means a mere 4 in (10 cm) off the ground, Glaw told OurAmazingPlanet, so finding them is no easy task. However, once spotted, the tiny lizards aren’t tough to catch, Glaw said…

(read more: OurAmazingPlanet)     (photos: PLoS One)