BERLIN — Scientists from Madagascar and Germany say a newly discovered species of chameleon is a contender for the title of world’s smallest reptile.
The international team of researchers that classified the new species they named Brookesia nana said the male's body appeared to be just 13.5-millimeters-long, or about half an inch.
That’s at least 1.5 millimeters smaller than the previous record-holder, another member of the Brookesia family.
The tiny male and a slightly larger female were spotted on a mountainside by a local guide during an 2012 expedition.
Scientists found that the male's genitals were almost one-fifth of its body size, possibly to allow it to mate with the larger female.
To confirm Brookesia nana as the smallest reptile species, more examples will need to be found.
