News Corners

Eagle-eyed researchers have discovered what is believed to be the world’s smallest chameleon in Madagascar.

The miniature chameleon, Brookesia micra, reaches a maximum length of just 29mm.

It was one of four new species found by German scientists in the north of the island, off Africa, reports the BBC.

Researchers led by Dr Frank Glaw, from the Zoologische Staatssammlung in Munich, conducted fieldwork at night to find the easily overlooked animals.

“They mostly live in the leaf litter in the day… But at night they climb up and then you can spot them,” said Dr Glaw.

The scientists carefully scanned the most likely habitats with torches and headlamps to find roosting sites.

They found the smallest species on a remote limestone islet and believe it may represent an extreme case of island dwarfism.

This phenomenon occurs when a species becomes smaller over evolutionary time in order to adapt to a restricted habitat such as an island.

“It is possible that the big island of Madagascar has produced the general group of dwarf chameleons and the very small island has produced the tiny species,” he added.