Scientists have identified a tiny new species of chameleon in Madagascar's threatened littoral forests. The new species has been named Brookesia Nofy after the forest it was found in, Ankanin’ny Nofy.
The diminutive reptile is roughly the size of the end joint of a human finger, around 33mm long.
This discovery marks the first time a miniature chameleon from the Brookesia genus has been found in a littoral forest ecosystem. The finding was prompted by tourist photographs shared on social media, which alerted researchers to the potential new species.
Whilst not the world's smallest chameleon, Brookesia Nofy is notable for its unique choice of habitat. According to study author Miguel Vences, it is the only mini-chameleon in Madagascar known to occur in littoral forests, one of the most threatened habitat types.
The chameleon's sole known refuge is the privately owned forest used for ecotourism, while surrounding areas face pressure from slash-and-burn agriculture.
Researchers hope this discovery will highlight the urgent need to protect Madagascar's remaining littoral forests and their unique biodiversity.
