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 for zoologists, primarily due to its distinctive elongated snout. However, a groundbreaking study published in *Salamandra*, the German Journal of Herpetology, has revealed that this unique reptile is not a single species but rather a complex of multiple species, each exhibiting its own variations in snout morphology. This revelation comes from a reexamination of historical specimens, utilizing advanced genetic analysis techniques known as museomics to extract DNA from museum collections, some of which date back to as early as 1836. The findings have not only redefined the taxonomy of these chameleons but also highlighted the significant evolutionary adaptations related to their striking nasal appendages.
The Pinocchio chameleon, often referred to for its resemblance to the famous marionette, was originally described in 1877. It is part of the rich biodiversity found on Madagascar, an island that is home to over 40% of the world’s 236 chameleon species. These reptiles are renowned for their remarkable abilities, including color change, ballistic tongues for capturing prey, and independently moving eyes. The male Pinocchio chameleon is particularly notable for its bumpy, elongated nose, which has been the subject of much curiosity. The recent study has led to the reclassification of some specimens previously thought to belong to C. gallus as Calumma pinocchio and introduced a new species, Calumma hofreiteri, alongside the already recognized Calumma nasutum. The research indicates that the evolution of these nasal features may be driven by female mate selection preferences, adding another layer of complexity to their reproductive behaviors.
Despite the intriguing discoveries about their taxonomy, the conservation status of the Pinocchio chameleon remains a pressing concern. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the species as endangered, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these unique reptiles and their habitats. As the total number of recognized chameleon species in Madagascar now reaches 100, the implications of this study not only enhance our understanding of chameleon diversity but also emphasize the importance of applying modern genetic methods to unravel the complexities of biodiversity, particularly in regions as ecologically rich and threatened as Madagascar.
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
.
The post
No lie. The long-nosed Pinocchio chameleon is multiple species.
appeared first on
Popular Science
.
