| Brookesia nana | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Brookesia |
| Species: | B. nana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Brookesia nana | |
Brookesia nana, also known as the nano-chameleon, is a species of chameleon endemic to montane rainforests in northern Madagascar (North of 16°S).[2] Unlike some chameleons, Brookesia nana does not change colors, which is an example of paedomorphism.[1] The majority of northern Brookesia species are restricted to rainforest.[3]
The species was discovered by herpetologist Frank Glaw and other German researchers in 2021[1] in the rainforest on the Sorata massif in northern Madagascar. Described in 2021, it could represent the world's smallest reptile.[2] Brookesia nana is not arboreal, as it tends to inhabit the forest floor. It is likely that the species is endangered due to deforestation in Madagascar.[3] Miniaturism is believed to evolve from habitat loss. [4]
- ^ a b c Glaw, Frank; Köhler, Jörn; Hawlitschek, Oliver; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M.; Rakotoarison, Andolalao; Scherz, Mark D. & Vences, Miguel (28 January 2021). "Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 2522. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80955-1. PMC 7844282. PMID 33510189.
- ^ a b Bittel, Jason (1 February 2021). "New chameleon species may be world's smallest reptile". National Geographic. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ a b Andrew, Scottie (3 February 2021). "A newly discovered chameleon less than an inch long could be the world's smallest reptile". CNN. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
- ^ Sodikoff, Genese Marie (2021-09-10). "Shrunken Life: Discourses of the Cryptic and the Miniature in Madagascar". ETropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics. 20 (2): 55–73. doi:10.25120/etropic.20.2.2021.3820. ISSN 1448-2940.