No lie. The long-nosed Pinocchio chameleon is multiple species.
For nearly 150 years, the Pinocchio chameleon (Calumma gallus) was regarded as a singular species, captivating zoologists with its unique appearance and characteristics. However, a groundbreaking study published in *Salamandra*, the German Journal of Herpetology, has revealed that what was once thought to be a single species is actually a complex of multiple species, each boasting its own distinct elongated snouts. This reexamination stems from advancements in genetic analysis techniques, specifically a method called museomics, which allowed researchers at Germany’s Bavarian State Collections of Natural Histories to delve into the DNA of historical specimens dating back to 1836. The findings have not only redefined our understanding of the Pinocchio chameleon but have also highlighted the importance of modern genetic methods in taxonomic research.
The study identifies two new species: Calumma pinocchio, which includes some lizards formerly classified as C. gallus, and Calumma hofreiteri. Additionally, it reaffirms the identity of Calumma nasutum, a species that has been recognized for nearly 190 years but whose true classification was only clarified through this contemporary analysis. The male Pinocchio chameleons are particularly notable for their impressive nasal appendages, which can change in color, shape, and length, likely influenced by female mate selection preferences. This discovery underscores the complexity of chameleon evolution and the critical role of genetic diversity in understanding animal classification.
Despite these exciting revelations, the situation for Madagascar’s chameleons remains precarious. With over 40 percent of the world’s 236 known chameleon species residing on the island, the biodiversity is rich yet increasingly threatened. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Pinocchio chameleon as endangered, reflecting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these remarkable reptiles and their habitats. The study not only sheds light on the intricate taxonomy of the Pinocchio chameleon but also serves as a call to action to safeguard Madagascar’s unique wildlife for future generations.
For nearly 150 years, zoologists have taken the Pinocchio
chameleon
(
Caluma gallus
) at face value.. However, a recent reexamination detailed in
Salamandra, the German Journal of Herpetology
reveals that the chameleon is actually multiple species with elongated snouts worthy of the nickname.
Over 40 percent of the 236 known chameleon species around the world live on the island of
Madagascar
located off the East African coast. The reptiles are often recognizable for a variety of reasons, including their
ballistic tongue
they use to slurp up prey, their color changing abilities , and their independently mobile eyes that give them stereoscopic vision. But the male Pinocchio chameleon specifically possesses yet another striking trait: a bumpy and very lengthy nose.
Males of the new chameleon species Calumma pinocchio have a smooth-edged nasal appendage. Credit: Frank Glaw (ZSM/SNSB)
First described in 1877 and also known as the
lance-nosed or blade chameleon
,
C. gallus
was named after the Latin word for rooster. While an understandable comparison, the lizard eventually became more commonly known for its resemblance to the famous, fib-prone Italian marionette.
For decades, researchers knew that the shape and size of the Pinocchio chameleon’s nasal appendage fluctuated animal-to-animal, but believed that it was simply a unique physical quirk. Using a technique known as museomics, a team at Germany’s Bavarian State Collections of Natural Histories obtained and studied DNA sequences collected from the museum’s old specimens. One of these precious samples dated as far back as 1836. Only after traveling back through time via DNA did they realize the taxonomic error stretching back nearly a century-and-a-half.
“The genetic analyses are conclusive: the nose chameleons have virtually fooled previous research,” study coauthor Frank Glaw
said in a statement
.
Glaw explained that the team’s study also confirmed each chameleon’s nose can quickly change in terms of color, shape, and length.
“Their evolution is possibly driven by the respective preferences of females in mate selection,” he added.
Adult male of
Calumma nasutum
. This species is known since almost 190 years, but its true identity was uncovered only now by the application of modern genetic methods. Credit: Miguel Vences (TU Braunschweig)
As it stands today, some lizards previously considered to be
C. gallus
are now reclassified as
Calumma pinocchio
. Additionally, a second new species called
Calumma hofreiteri
has been established apart from another chameleon,
Calumma nasutum
.
“The study shows the great potential of the new museomics methods to correctly identify historically collected specimens especially in species complexes,” added Miguel Vences, study coauthor and zoologist at the Technical University of Braunschweig.
Although Madagascar’s total number of known chameleons now tops out at exactly 100 separate species, many of their actual populations continue to dwindle. Regardless of its taxonomy, the IUCN says the Pinocchio chameleon
remains endangered
.
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No lie. The long-nosed Pinocchio chameleon is multiple species.
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