Scientists have identified Madagascar's Pinocchio chameleon as a distinct species, named Calumma pinocchio, overturning nearly 150 years of classification. DNA analysis also uncovered another hidden species, Calumma hofreiteri. These discoveries highlight rapid evolution in the reptiles' nasal features.
Madagascar hosts more than 40% of the world's chameleon species, making it a global hotspot for these reptiles. For nearly 150 years, the Pinocchio chameleon belonged to the Calumma gallus species complex, where males are distinguished by elongated nasal appendages. Researchers relied on the length and shape of these snouts for identification.
Recent genetic and anatomical studies, however, reveal that what was known as the Pinocchio chameleon is actually a new species. The team named it Calumma pinocchio to match its common name. By examining DNA from modern samples and old museum specimens, they also identified a second unrecognized species, Calumma hofreiteri. This one had long been misclassified as Calumma nasutum due to similar nasal traits and other appearances.
"The genetic analyses are conclusive: the nose chameleons have virtually fooled previous research," said Dr. Frank Glaw from the Bavarian State Collections of Natural History. The study found that nasal appendages evolve rapidly in length, shape, and color, likely influenced by female preferences in mate selection.
To reclassify these chameleons, scientists used museomics, extracting DNA from preserved specimens, including one collected in 1836. "The study shows the great potential of the new museomics methods to correctly identify historically collected specimens especially in species complexes," noted Prof. Miguel Vences from the Technical University of Braunschweig.
With these additions, Madagascar now supports exactly 100 chameleon species, part of a worldwide total of 236. The findings underscore the island's role in rapid reptile diversification.
