The discovery of the world’s smallest chameleon species, Brookesia nana, has been made by a team of scientists led by Frank Glaw from the Zoological State Collection in Munich. The female of the species measures 19mm in body length and 29mm in total length, while the male is even smaller. In fact, no other reptile or mammal has smaller males than Brookesia nana, with only some amphibians known to have tinier males. However, despite their small size, male chameleons of the Brookesia genus have an over-proportionally large hemipenis, and Brookesia nana is no exception. The only known male of the species has a double penis that is 18.5% of its body length, while the related species Brookesia tuberculata has genitalia that are around 30% of its body length.
The reason for the size of the Nano-Chameleons is still unclear, but it is thought to be an adaptation to their mountainous habitat, which provides advantages for hunting. The scientists believe that the size difference between males and females may be the reason for the large genitalia of male chameleons. Unlike many other chameleon species, female Brookesia nana are larger than their male counterparts. The discovery of this new species sheds light on the diversity of chameleons and their unique adaptations to their environments.
The discovery of Brookesia nana is significant not only because it is the smallest chameleon species known to date, but also because of the unique characteristics of its males. The research provides insight into the evolution of chameleons and their adaptations to different environments. The scientists hope that further research will help to uncover more about the biology and behavior of these fascinating creatures.
Frank Glaw
