Chameleons in the\nC. nasutum \u201ccomplex\u201d are tiny, often no larger than your finger. Surprisingly\nhowever, they are not as tiny as Madagascar\u2019s smallest chameleons, Brookesia\nmicra<\/em> which only grow an inch long! First on the list of newly minted\nchameleons is Calumma emelinae<\/em> <\/em>which has a bony nose protrusion much\nlike most Calumma <\/em>species, and males can have a gorgeous green\ncoloration<\/strong> with spines along their back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next is Calumma ratnasariae<\/em> which is mainly a drab grey or brown, but when mating season rolls around and males don their display colors is when the magic happens. As you can see below, they are a pretty pastel rainbow of colors<\/strong>, the likes of which you may see on a trendy interior decorators Instagram page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And finally, the last new species is Calumma tjiasmantoi<\/em> which turns a rusty shade of orange<\/strong> when at their most vibrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists have had a difficult time describing the original species, Calumma nasutum. <\/em>It wasfirst described almost 200 years ago<\/strong> by some of the first French zoologists to visit Madagascar, Dum\u00e9ril & Bibron in 1836. That chameleon described all those years ago and the cause of this complicated mix-up is on the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By contrast, Calumma radamanus<\/em>is this very similar-looking species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the last described species, Calumma fallax <\/em>is very easily confused with most all the rest of these chameleons, but most of all C. nasutum<\/em>! The main identifier between them is their location, as C. nasutum<\/em> are found in eastern and northern Madagascar, whereas C. fallax<\/em> occurs at high elevation along the east coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Herpetologist and taxonomist Dr. Mark Scherz noted that a few of\nthese species are already threatened<\/strong>. This illuminated an interesting\nquandary between taxonomy and conservation. All these species, being called C.\nnasutum <\/em>previously, were listed as Least Concern according to the IUCN.\nBut now what we thought as one species is in fact many, which divides the group\nand shows that some of these lizards are in fact endangered. Many of these\nchameleons exist in highly fragmented populations, and conservation policy\ntakes a long time to update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scherz shared with me his frustrations with the Madagascan\ngovernment for the difficulty to get permits to take these lizards for scientific\nresearch. Conversely, many permits are given to those taking chameleons to fuel\nthe exotic pet trade. Scientists taking one or two individuals is a drop in\nthe pool<\/strong> compared to the exporters. This disproportionate treatment between\nscientists and citizens is a problem, and one that makes it difficult to do\nnecessary research for conservation. The Madagascan government feels as though\nresearchers are taking advantage, since they do not see any return for allowing\nan animal to be taken. On the contrast, exporters are giving back to the\ngovernment in taxes. This viewpoint is understandable, but Scherz noted that\nchange needs to come from within. Madagascan citizens and researchers are the\nonly ones who can push back against this. But in one of the poorest countries\nin the world with a university with only minimal resources, that is easier said\nthan done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Madagascar\u2019s habitats are being lost at an unprecedented rate,\nlargely due to agriculture. Farming techniques are outdated with many citizens\ndoing slash and burn agriculture to produce rice. This strips the soil of its\nnutrients within years and the process must be repeated. This populice\ndriven deforestation<\/strong> is the biggest threat to Madagascar\u2019s flora and fauna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is some hope however, Dr. Scherz mentioned he has worked with\nmany up and coming Madagascan citizen researchers who are discovering new\nspecies and trying to protect the countries natural wonders. Perhaps with\nenough protection and hard work conservation policies will be put into place\nbefore these newly discovered small chameleons are lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pr\u00f6tzel, D., Scherz, M.D.<\/strong>, Ratsoavina, F.M., Vences, M.\n& Glaw, F. (2020) Untangling the trees: Revision of the Calumma nasutum\ncomplex (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae). Vertebrate Zoology, 70(1):23\u201359. DOI:<\/em> <\/em>10.26049\/VZ70-1-2020-3<\/em><\/a> [<\/em>pdf<\/em><\/a>] <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Photos by Dr. Mark Scherz & MadCham.De<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Michael McGuire Taxonomy, the study of naming and classifying organisms, how hard could that be right? Turns out, pretty complex when you have a bunch of similar looking chameleons! For the longest time, a group of chameleon species in … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/bmosher1-fieldherp\/files\/2020\/07\/McGuire_1a.jpg\")
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