Reptile boffins spot world's smallest chameleon
German boffins have discovered the world's smallest chameleon in Madagascar while picking through leaf litter. tiny_chameleon_plos_one Scientist don't know why Brookesia micra is so small. It is not clear why island dwarfism occurs. Image va PLoS One The critter-hunters found the new species on the tiny islet of Nosy Hara, …
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You're actually spot on : The article says '... measures 29mm (1.1 inches) from nose to tail ...', which must make the finger in the pic about 2" wide!
Not sure if joking - but I imagine that 29mm is the thing with its tail stretched out.
C.
leaves
didn't they just discover the smallest frog a few months ago, also under a leaf?
possible, boffins should try looking under more leaves, there might be miniature pandas and elephants and hobbits and all sorts under there!
That small so...
what the smeg does it eat?
It looks like it would choke on a midge!
Island Dwarfism
I thought it was pretty common with isolated species. No predators combined with occasional food shortages mean smaller animals are selected (they need a smaller amount of food) and pass on their midget genes.
All the big hungry bastards kick the bucket and receive a posthumous Darwin award.
Re: Island Dwarfism
"All the big hungry bastards kick the bucket and receive a posthumous Darwin award."
Aren't ALL Darwin Awards posthumous?
Re: Aren't ALL Darwin Awards posthumous?
No. You can receive one while alive by losing your ability to reproduce.
Re: Re: Aren't ALL Darwin Awards posthumous?
@Code Monkey; Yes, but though that only applies if you haven't already reproduced before losing it.
Re: Re: Aren't ALL Darwin Awards posthumous?
@Code Monkey
Ah, OK I forgot about that. Thanks
Re: Re: Re: Aren't ALL Darwin Awards posthumous?
@darkmage0707077 very true. Also true for the posthumous awards.
David Attenborough
Wasn't this minuscule reptile filmed extensively a good half year ago for David Attenborough's Madagascar documentary?
Re: David Attenborough
DIfferent species, found on the mainland, IIRC.
Re: David Attenborough
Last week, I think wednesday 8 feb, there was a nice National Geographic documentary about Madagascar - how diverse / specified the species were. These mini-meleons were part of that docu.
Not sure how old that docu was, but it looked great.
Sponsored by AT&T, it turned out.
May I be the first to bow down to our pint sized lizard overlords.
Oh dammit, fingernail sized...
I was more worried about the Lizard-Boffins.
Picturing T-Rex in a lab coat
Smallest, maybe...
Maybe the world's smallest, but quite possibly the worlds WORST chameleon?
More piccies
and here are some more pics of it's chameleon abilities in action...
But...
... have they found any penguins yet?
Excuse me, someone's tapping on my shoulder...
"You ain't seen us! Right?!"
Err, sorry, forget the above post...!
Re: "Has Steve Jobs been reincarnated?"
No...that would have been a "snake in the grass."
...used genetic analysis...
How many did he kill to get enough blood for a DNA sample? Just one perhaps?
Wow now wish they would catch a few breed em and put them in pet shops.
Until then collectors will hunt them in the wild. Their known habitat may be in a protected area but that won't stop people desperate for a money.
Damn cute they are. In danger they will be.
Tux. Just because ...
Just wondering....
How many of those mini-meleons did they unknowingly step on during their visit to the island?
Excuse me, but I own the patent for "displaying miniature chameleons on a persons fingertip". The Register must immediately cease the unlicensed usage of images depicting miniature chameleons on peoples fingertips forthwith.
Me and my JJ
Me and my J.J
With me he will stay-ay
And then we can play-ay
All night and all day-ay
From his lemur egg my lemur prince will rise
It's little femur leg growing to king size!
He'll be regally,
He be legally mine!
Aw, look at how cute he is!
Me and my J.J
With me he will stay-ay
And then we can play-ay
From June until May-ay
He'll be regally,
I said legally mine!
Scientist don't know why Brookesia micra is so small.
But I know..... It's because it stopped growing.
What's a scientist? Is that like a boffin?
Another thing....
It was found on the "tiny islet of Nosy Hara". That would probably go a long way towards explaining why they are so small, wouldn't it? I mean, how many blimp sized chameleons would fit on a tiny island and how long would the food last?
Congratulations to the nosy scientists that went to Nosy Hara island to go find the wildlife for us!
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