Miniature Chameleon, Believed to be World’s Smallest Reptile, Discovered in Madagascar!

Before, the dwarf gecko was known to be the smallest known reptile ever to be discovered (measuring around 16 mm on average). But in recent years, several dwarf chameleons from Madagascar have been constantly contending for the title.

And now, the most recently discovered species could be bringing home that prize.

Its scientific name is Brookesia nana. The lizard was discovered in Madagascar by the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology. On average, the males are measured to be as little as 13.5 mm and females are around 29 mm. It is hardly any bigger than a key on keyboard, earning itself the nickname of nano-chameleon.

Dwarf Chameleon Evolution into Smallest Reptile

One of the things that made this discovery so fascinating to scientists was further expanded great size divergence between Madagascar's various dwarf chameleons, with the largest being the naturelle leaf chameleon (measuring at about 50 mm). What would cause one species to adapt to even smaller sizes than its cousins even when they share the same mountain habitat?

The discovery also demonstrated a research technique that would distinguish new, smaller species from juvenile versions of similar ones. The researchers made sure to measure the reproductive organs of both lizards in proportion to their whole size. Thus, they could confirm that the pair were fully grown adults.

Despite this, there is still no clear explanation as to how the species ended up so small (they even subsist on a diet of mites). It is possible that its small size makes it even easier to camouflage. However, that too is suspect because it has yet to show any ability to change its skin color like other chameleons. They have also been observed to live around the forest floor, rather than high up in the trees. So other than possibly avoiding larger predators, there still seems to be no clear evolutionary benefit to their size.

Smallest Chameleon Habitat Threatened

Sadly, this recently discovered species was immediately deemed critically endangered. Not only are these lizards a rare find, they face the same threat from Madagascar's deforestation as their larger cousins.

Much like many nations in Africa, Madagascar's poverty is correlated with its environmental degradation. And as such, deforestation is often driven by illegal loggers and farmers who are desperate to make ends meet.

Fortunately, there has been some progress. The area where the chameleons were found has already been designated as a protected area. International scientists and conservationists have also started initiatives aimed towards transforming the local economy from one that relies on deforestation to one where there is more value gained from preserving its irreplaceable plant and animal species.