Brookesia confidens

Brookesia confidens, also known as the leaf chameleon, is one of the world's smallest species of chameleons. It is endemic to the Ankarana Nature Reserve (Ankarana National Park) in Madagascar. It was first described in 2012 by F. Glaw, J. Koehler, T.M. Townsend and M. Vences.[1]

Brookesia confidens
Male Brookesia confidens
Female Brookesia confidens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Brookesia
Species:
B. confidens
Binomial name
Brookesia confidens
Glaw, Koehler, Townsend & Vences, 2012

Distribution and habitat

Found in northern Madagascar, B. confidens is one of the world's smallest chameleons. It was discovered in the Ankarana National Nature Reserve.[2] It was first described in 2012 by Glaw, Koehler, Townsend and Vences.[3] The nature reserve where B. confidens can be found on is well-protected. Little habitat destruction is currently occurring that could impact the species.[4]

Description

Brookesia confidens is smaller than half of a human finger, and is roughly the size of a wedding ring.[5] The snout–vent length of males is between 18.3 and 20.1 mm (0.72 and 0.79 in), and the total length is between 29.2 and 34.2 mm (1.15 and 1.35 in). The females are slightly larger, and have a snout-vent length between 20.6 and 22.6 mm (0.81 and 0.89 in), and a full length between 32.5 and 36.2 mm (1.28 and 1.43 in).[4] It is the sister taxon of Brookesia tuberculata (Mount d'Ambre leaf chameleon).[4] It is just larger than Brookesia micra.[6] It looks identical to Brookesia desperata, Brookesia micra and Brookesia tristis.[7]

Taxonomy

Brookesia confidens is commonly known as the leaf chameleon.[3][8]

References
  1. "Brookesia confidens | EOLspecies". Eolspecies.lifedesks.org. Archived from the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  2. Glaw, Frank; Köhler, Jörn; Townsend, Ted M.; Vences, Miguel (2012). "Rivaling the World's Smallest Reptiles: Discovery of Miniaturized and Microendemic New Species of Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia) from Northern Madagascar". PLOS ONE. 7 (2): e31314. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031314. PMC 3279364. PMID 22348069. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  3. "Brookesia confidens". Uniprot.org. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  4. "Amphibia-Reptilia.Com". Amphibia-Reptilia.Com. 2012-02-16. Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  5. "Leaf chameleon photo - Brookesia confidens - G133175". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2012-08-28. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  6. "New Species of Madagascar Dwarf Chameleon Detailed". Reptilechannel.com. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  7. Sheridan, Michael (September 15, 2012). "Leaf chameleons found in Madagascar are among the world's smallest reptiles". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  8. "Leaf chameleon videos, photos and facts - Brookesia confidens". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
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