Tiny Chameleons Discovered in Madagascar

Creepingby flashlight through the forest of Madagascar at night, scientists foundchameleons so tiny they can sit on a match head.
Theteam of scientists, including three from Germany and one from the UnitedStates, discovered the creatures sleeping in plants just inches above theforest floor.  For vertebrates (animalswith a spine like mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians), there areprobably limits to how small they can be and still have parts like complex eyesand organs.  However, it seems that everyfew years scientists find a new fish or frog or chameleon that is smaller thanthey thought possible.
Thefour new species of chameleons are from northern Madagascar, and includeBrookesia confidens, Brookesia desperata, Brookesia micra, and Brookesiatristis.  While all of them appearsimiliar, they are so small it's hard to see their differences with the nakedeye.  Testing revealed that the four havesignificant genetic differences.
Foundon an small island, the B. micra only reaches a total length of 1 and 3/16th ofan inch or 30mm and makes an argument for the theory of island dwarfism--someanimals may adapt to the confines of island life by being little and using lessresources.
Loggingin Madagascar reduces the available habitat for these creatures, and they aretoo small and slow to escape chain saws and falling trees.  However, now that we are aware of thesechameleons, it's possible steps may be taken to save them.  I noted on the National Geographic site thatcomments were made on how cute the chameleons are.  While it's unfair to judge a creature (or aperson) by their looks, it might motivate people to help.

(Here is the scientificpaper on Plos One, an article in the Christian Science Monitor, and NationalGeographic.  The photograph is by FrankGlaw, a scientist from Munchen, Germany who helped discover the chameleons.)