No lie. The long-nosed Pinocchio chameleon is multiple species.
For nearly 150 years, the Pinocchio chameleon (Calumma gallus) has been a subject of fascination among zoologists, often admired for its distinctive elongated snout. 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 distinct species. This revelation comes as a result of advanced genetic analysis techniques, known as museomics, which allowed researchers to examine DNA samples from museum specimens dating back to 1836. The findings indicate that the Pinocchio chameleon, along with its relatives, has been misclassified for over a century, leading to the identification of two new species: Calumma pinocchio and Calumma hofreiteri, alongside the previously recognized Calumma nasutum.
The Pinocchio chameleon, also referred to as the lance-nosed or blade chameleon, is one of the many unique reptiles endemic to Madagascar, an island that hosts over 40% of the world’s chameleon species. These reptiles are famed for their remarkable adaptations, including their ballistic tongues for capturing prey, color-changing abilities for camouflage, and independently mobile eyes that provide stereoscopic vision. The male Pinocchio chameleon is particularly notable for its bumpy and elongated nasal appendage, which researchers initially thought varied only as an individual physical quirk. However, the recent genetic analyses have demonstrated that these variations are indicative of different species, each adapting to their ecological niches and possibly influenced by female mate selection preferences.
This research not only sheds light on the complexity of chameleon taxonomy but also highlights the pressing conservation concerns surrounding these reptiles. Despite the newfound clarity in their classification, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Pinocchio chameleon as endangered, reflecting the ongoing threats to their habitats and populations. With the total number of recognized chameleon species in Madagascar now reaching 100, the study underscores the importance of employing modern genetic techniques to accurately identify and protect these incredible creatures, ensuring that their unique evolutionary paths are preserved 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 ofÂ
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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