Brookesia
Encyclopedia
Brookesia is a genus
of chameleon
s found in Madagascar
, that range from small to very small in size, and are known collectively as Leaf Chameleons (though this name also commonly is used for species in the genera Rieppeleon
and Rhampholeon
). It includes the species considered to be the world's smallest chameleons, and are also among the smallest reptiles. They are largely brown and most are essentially terrestrial
. A significant percentage of the species
in the genus were only identified to science within the last three decades, and a number of species that still have not received a scientific name are known to exist. Most inhabit very small ranges in areas that are difficult to access, and due to their small size and secretive nature, they have been relatively poorly studied compared to their larger relatives.
Most Brookesia are on CITES Appendix II, the only exception being B. perarmata on Appendix I (a species also listed as vulnerable
by IUCN). Consequently, a special permit is required to import any of the below species from their native Madagascar, and typically no permit is issued for B. perarmata.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of chameleon
Chameleon
Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. They are distinguished by their parrot-like zygodactylous feet, their separately mobile and stereoscopic eyes, their very long, highly modified, and rapidly extrudable tongues, their swaying gait, the possession by many of a...
s found in Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, that range from small to very small in size, and are known collectively as Leaf Chameleons (though this name also commonly is used for species in the genera Rieppeleon
Rieppeleon
Rieppeleon is a genus of small, typically brown chameleons found in forests and savannas in central East Africa...
and Rhampholeon
Rhampholeon
Rhampholeon, commonly known as pygmy chameleons or African leaf chameleons, are a genus of small chameleons found in central East Africa . They are found in forests, woodlands, thickets and savanna, and most species are restricted to highlands...
). It includes the species considered to be the world's smallest chameleons, and are also among the smallest reptiles. They are largely brown and most are essentially terrestrial
Terrestrial animal
Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...
. A significant percentage of the species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in the genus were only identified to science within the last three decades, and a number of species that still have not received a scientific name are known to exist. Most inhabit very small ranges in areas that are difficult to access, and due to their small size and secretive nature, they have been relatively poorly studied compared to their larger relatives.
Most Brookesia are on CITES Appendix II, the only exception being B. perarmata on Appendix I (a species also listed as vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
by IUCN). Consequently, a special permit is required to import any of the below species from their native Madagascar, and typically no permit is issued for B. perarmata.
Species
There are currently 26 recognized species in the genus.- Mt. Amber Pygmy Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia ambreensis
- Brookesia antakarana
- Brookesia bekolosy
- Blanc's Leaf Chameleon. Brookesia betschi
- Brookesia bonsi
- Brygoo's Chameleon, Brookesia brygooi
- Spiny Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia decaryi
- Brookesia dentata
- Northern Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia ebenauiBrookesia ebenauiThe Northern Leaf Chameleon , is a chameleon which is endemic to Madagascar. It is also known as Ebenau's Leaf Chameleon.They can rapidly change among various earth hues.-References:...
- Brookesia exarmata
- Brookesia griveaudi
- Naturelle Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia karchei
- Fito Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia lambertoni
- Brookesia lineata
- Brookesia lolontany
- Minute Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia minimaBrookesia minimaBrookesia minima, , is a diminutive chameleon "often said to be the smallest" or "probably the smallest" of the Chamaeleonidae.-Range:B...
- Elongate Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia nasus
- Brookesia nasus nasus
- Brookesia nasus pauliani
- Antsingy Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia perarmata
- Peyrieras' Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia peyrierasiBrookesia peyrierasiBrookesia peyrierasi is a diminutive chameleon from north-eastern Madagascar. It is known commonly as Peyrieras' Pygmy Chameleon.-Similar species:...
- Plated Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia stumpffi
- Brown Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia superciliaris
- Perinet Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia therezieni
- Domergue's Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia thieli
- Brookesia tuberculataBrookesia tuberculataBrookesia tuberculata is a diminutive chameleon from far northern Madagascar.-Similar species:A 1999 paper in the Journal of Zoology disputed a 1995 paper which considered this species and B. peyrierasi to be the same species as B. minima...
- Iaraka River Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia vadoni
- Raxworthy's Leaf Chameleon, Brookesia valerieae