Brookesia micra
| Brookesia micra | |
|---|---|
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| Juvenile specimen on match head | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Infraclass: | Lepidosauromorpha |
| Superorder: | Lepidosauria |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Infraorder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Brookesia |
| Species: | B. micra |
| Binomial name | |
| Brookesia micra Glaw et al., 2012[1] |
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Brookesia micra is a species of chameleon from the islet of Nosy Hara in Antsiranana, Madagascar. As of 14 February 2012[update], it is the smallest known chameleon and among the smallest reptiles, small enough to stand on the head of a match. In length, adult Brookesia micra can grow up to 29 millimetres (1.1 in).[1]
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Taxonomy [edit]
Brookesia micra was discovered and named by a team of researchers led by Frank Glaw of the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology.[2] Glaw and his colleagues have been conducting expeditions into the Madagascan forests for eight years.[3] Members of the species had previously been labelled as Brookesia sp. "Nosy Hara" in 2007 by Glaw and Vences.[1]
Etymology [edit]
The specific epithet of Brookesia 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.[1]
Description [edit]
The males of Brookesia micra reach a maximum snout-vent length of 16 millimetres (0.63 in), and the total body length of both of the sexes is less than 30 millimetres (1.2 in), ranking it among the smallest amniote vertebrates found anywhere in the world.[1] Compared to Brookesia minima, Brookesia micra has a shorter tail and a larger head.[1] Adults of Brookesia micra also have an orange tail, as opposed to an inconspicuous brown one.[1] The size of the lizard may be linked to its habitat, due to insular dwarfism.[4]
Distribution and habitat [edit]
Brookesia micra, together with three other species, was found in north Madagascar some time between 2003 and 2007.[5] 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 centimetres (3.9 in) at night to sleep.[5][6] Brookesia micra live in an area subject to illegal logging, which may make them "sensitive to habitat destruction", according to researcher Jorn Köhler.[7]
References [edit]
- Specific
- ^ a b c d e f g Glaw, F.; Köhler, J. R.; Townsend, T. M.; Vences, M. (2012). "Rivaling the World's Smallest Reptiles: Discovery of Miniaturized and Microendemic New Species of Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia) from Northern Madagascar". In Salamin, Nicolas. PLoS ONE 7 (2): e31314. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031314. PMC 3279364. PMID 22348069.
- ^ Phelan, Jessica (15 February 2012). "Brookesia micra, world's smallest chameleon, discovered in Madagascar". GlobalPost. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ Zukerman, Wendy (15 February 2012). "Itsy bitsy teeny weeny chameleons". New Scientist. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ Mann, Adam (14 February 2012). "World’s Tiniest Chameleons Found in Madagascar". Wired. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ a b Mustain, Andrea (14 February 2012). "World's Tiniest Chameleon Discovered". Live Science. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ Davies, Ella (15 February 2012). "Tiny lizards found in Madagascar". BBC Nature. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ "World's tiniest chameleon discovered". Toronto Sun. Quebecor Media. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- General
This article incorporates text from an open access publication: Glaw, F.; Köhler, J. R.; Townsend, T. M.; Vences, M. (2012). "Rivaling the World's Smallest Reptiles: Discovery of Miniaturized and Microendemic New Species of Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia) from Northern Madagascar". In Salamin, Nicolas. PLoS ONE 7 (2): e31314. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031314. PMC 3279364. PMID 22348069.
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