Most individuals were found roosting at night on thin branches about 5–20 cm above the leaf litter in deciduous dry forest close to a small forest trail within a small area, surrounded by tsingy outcrops. At this locality, the species was relatively abundant, whereas it was not found at similar localities nearby, suggesting a patchy distribution and a preference for certain microhabitats. This hypothesis is also supported by the fact that earlier herpetological surveys in Ankarana [Bloxam QMC, Barlow SC (1987)], [Raselimanana AP (2008)], did not record any species of the Brookesia minima group.
When stressed, individuals can quickly change colour and display a broad pale vertebral stripe contrasting with the darker flanks.
The species epithet is an adjective derived from the Latin “confidens” meaning “confident”, “trusting”. The known range of the species is supposedly a well protected nature reserve with apparently limited habitat destruction. Furthermore, this area might benefit from natural protection by the tsingy limestone formations which are difficult to access, thus giving hope for the species' survival.
A member of the Brookesia minima group based on small body size (SVL<23 mm) and molecular phylogenetic relationships. Brookesia confidens is distinguished from other members of the group as follows: from B. dentata by probably smaller adult body size (no measurements of male B. dentata available), and absence of a supranasal cone (vs. presence); from B. exarmata by the absence of a supranasal cone (vs. presence); from B. karchei by a smaller adult body size (female SVL 20.6–22.6 mm vs. 30.7 mm; no measurements of clearly identified males available for B. karchei), and absence of a supranasal cone (vs. presence); from B. minima by a very narrow hemipenis (vs. balloon-like); from B. peyrierasi by generally smaller adult body size(male SVL 18.3–20.1 mm vs. 19.7–22.4 mm), the absence of a supranasal cone (vs. presence), absence of a supraocular cone (vs. presence), and very narrow ornamentless hemipenis (vs. massive, bilobed hemipenis with four spines per lobe); from B. ramanantsoai by a smaller adult body size (male SVL 18.3–20.1 mm vs. 21.7 mm), absence of a supranasal cone (vs. presence), absence of a supraocular cone (vs. presence in some specimens), and hemipenis very narrow (vs. balloon-like); from B. tuberculata by the absence of a supranasal cone (vs. presence), absence of a supraocular cone (vs. presence), and hemipenis very narrow with pustules on apex (vs. wider, with crown-like apical structure). The new species is most similar to B. tristis but differs from this species by indistinct and short parasagittal crests (vs. distinct) and by 13 dorsolateral pointed tubercles (vs. 11), and ornamentless apical region of hemipenis (vs. spine-like papillae on apex). For a distinction from B. desperata and B. micra, described below, see the diagnoses of these species. Referencing a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene, B. confidens shows an uncorrected pairwise divergence of 6.7% to its sister species B. tuberculata, and divergences >9% to all other species of the B. minima group.
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.[2]
Found in northern Madagascar, B. confidens is one of the world's smallest chameleons. It was discovered in the Ankarana National Nature Reserve.[3] It was first described in 2012 by Glaw, Koehler, Townsend and Vences.[4] The nature reserve where B. confidens can be found on is well-protected. Little habitat destruction is currently occurring that could impact the species.[5]
Brookesia confidens is smaller than half of a human finger, and is roughly the size of a wedding ring.[6] 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).[5] It is the sister taxon of Brookesia tuberculata (Mount d'Ambre leaf chameleon).[5] It is just larger than Brookesia micra.[7] It looks identical to Brookesia desperata, Brookesia micra and Brookesia tristis.[8]
Brookesia confidens is commonly known as the leaf chameleon.[4][9]
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.
Brookesia confidens Brookesia generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko kamaleoien familian sailkatuta dago.
Brookesia confidens Brookesia generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko kamaleoien familian sailkatuta dago.
Brookesia confidens est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Chamaeleonidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique de la région de Diana à Madagascar[1]. Elle a été découverte dans la réserve spéciale d'Ankarana.
Les mâles mesurent de 29,2 à 34,2 mm en longueur totale et de 18,3 à 20,1 mm SVL et les femelles de 32,5 à 36,2 mm en longueur totale et de 20,6 à 22,6 mm SVL.
Brookesia confidens est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Chamaeleonidae.
Brookesia confidens Glaw, Köhler, Townsend & Vences, 2012 è un piccolo sauro della famiglia Chamaeleonidae, endemico del Madagascar.[2]
È un camaleonte di piccola taglia, che supera di poco i 2 cm di lunghezza.[3]
L'areale della specie ricade all'interno della riserva speciale dell'Ankarana, nel Madagascar settentrionale.[2]
Brookesia confidens Glaw, Köhler, Townsend & Vences, 2012 è un piccolo sauro della famiglia Chamaeleonidae, endemico del Madagascar.
Brookesia confidens – endemiczny gatunek gada z rodziny kameleonowatych (Chamaeleonidae) występujący na Madagaskarze. Został odkryty w 2007 roku i formalnie opisany w lutym 2012 roku na łamach PLoS ONE. B. confidens jest jednym najmniejszych znanych gatunków kameleona[1][2].
Holotyp B. confidens (dorosły samiec) został złapany 1 marca 2007 roku w Parku Narodowym Ankarana, w prowincji Antsiranana położonej w północnej części Madagaskaru. Siedlisko zostało odkryte na wysokości około 90 m n.p.m. Gatunek został opisany w lutym 2012 roku na łamach PLoS ONE. Epitet gatunkowy pochodzi od łacińskiego przymiotnika confidens znaczącego „ufny”. Nazwa nawiązuje do przekonania badaczy o dużej szansie przetrwania gatunku za sprawą naturalnej ochrony, jaką zapewnia mu ukształtowanie obszaru siedliska, utrudniające dostęp człowiekowi[1].
B. confidens należy do najmniejszych kameleonów i jest blisko spokrewniony z innymi gatunkami rodzaju Brookesia występującymi na Madagaskarze. Łączna długość ciała samca schwytanego w 2007 roku wynosiła 29,2 mm (ogon 10,9 mm, a tułów z głową 18,3 mm). Wybarwienie żywych okazów w górnej części jest jasnoszare do ciemnobeżowego, a od spodu ciemnobrązowe[1].
Wymiary anatomiczneWszystkie schwytane okazy zostały znalezione nocą na małych gałęziach znajdujących się na wysokości 5–20 cm nad ziemią[1].
Brookesia confidens – endemiczny gatunek gada z rodziny kameleonowatych (Chamaeleonidae) występujący na Madagaskarze. Został odkryty w 2007 roku i formalnie opisany w lutym 2012 roku na łamach PLoS ONE. B. confidens jest jednym najmniejszych znanych gatunków kameleona.
Brookesia confidens là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Chamaeleonidae, nó là một trong những loài tắc kè hoa nhỏ nhất thế giới. Đây là loài đặc hữu của Khu Dự trữ Tự nhiên Ankarana (Vườn Quốc gia Ankarana) tại Madagascar. Nó được mô tả lần đầu tiên năm 2012 bởi F. Glaw, J. Koehler, T.M. Townsend and M. Vences.[1]
B. confidens sống ở miền bắc Madagascar, và là một trong những loài tắc kè hoa nhỏ nhất thế giới. Nó được tìm thấy tại Khu Dự trữ Tự nhiên Quốc gia Ankarana.[2] Mô tả lần đầu bởi Glaw, Koehler, Townsend và Vences (2012).[3] Môi trường sống của B. confidens là được bảo tồn chặt chẽ, nhưng việc phá hoại môi trường sống dù nhỏ cũng có thể ảnh hưởng đến loài này.[4]
Brookesia confidens là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Chamaeleonidae, nó là một trong những loài tắc kè hoa nhỏ nhất thế giới. Đây là loài đặc hữu của Khu Dự trữ Tự nhiên Ankarana (Vườn Quốc gia Ankarana) tại Madagascar. Nó được mô tả lần đầu tiên năm 2012 bởi F. Glaw, J. Koehler, T.M. Townsend and M. Vences.