The well-known Pinocchio chameleon of Madagascar, with its remarkably long nose, has turned out to be a surprise for scientists since the animal’s genetic studies proved that the chameleon had been identified incorrectly for nearly 150 years. In their study of the Calumma gallus species complex, scientists found out that what was believed to be one species of chameleons turned out to be another species called Calumma pinocchio. Employing DNA sequencing, morphological and museomic analysis of museum specimens, scientists managed to discover the previously unknown chameleon diversity in Madagascar. In addition to the identification of a new species of chameleons, the researchers also found a second new chameleon species.
Madagascar’s long-nosed Pinocchio Chameleon turns out to be a hidden species
Scientists had previously depended greatly on morphology in categorising Madagascar’s long-nosed chameleons, with their unique nasal appendages in male animals serving as an important criterion in determining which species belonged to the Calumma gallus complex.
However, at face value, the methodology seemed sensible because there were long, blade-like noses in some chameleons, while in others, they were short or curved.
New research titled ‘
Towards a revision of the Malagasy chameleons of the Calumma gallus complex: Redefinition of Calumma nasutum based on a museomics approach and descriptions of two new species’ showed that the lizard known widely as the “Pinocchio chameleon” was actually another different species from those that scientists originally thought it was.
According to the genetic and morphological studies, the reptile is actually a new species dubbed Calumma pinocchio.
“Genetic data show clearly that the so-called 'nose chameleons' were able to fool previous research for a long time,” said Dr Frank Glaw of SNSB. The findings were published in Salamandra – German Journal of Herpetology.
How DNA and museum specimens solved the puzzle
One of the most intriguing aspects of the experiment was "museomics," an innovative methodology that makes it possible for scientists to analyze DNA from ancient museum specimens.
In fact, some of the stored chameleons used by the researchers as part of the experiment were from as far back as 1836.
Scientists found that various individuals classified as belonging to the same species were genetically different from each other.
Moreover, they revealed the presence of a second cryptic species known as Calumma hofreiteri, which had until now been incorrectly classified as Calumma nasutum on account of similarities in the form of their snouts and body build.
According to Professor Miguel Vences of the Technical University of Braunschweig, this experiment has "clearly shown the great potential of the new museomics techniques for a correct identification of historically collected specimens within species complexes."
Why the chameleon’s nose kept changing
One reason scientists speculate why it took so long to sort out the mystery is that these lizards evolved extremely fast.
The research suggests that nasal appendages can very quickly transform in terms of morphology, colouration, and dimensions in a comparatively brief period in their evolutionary development.
The researchers hypothesise that female preferences in selecting mates could be playing a key role. Essentially, male chameleons that have more attractive or distinctively shaped noses could be more successful at mating, thus creating rapid diversification among closely related species.
"The evolution of these appendices might possibly be driven by the respective preferences of females in mate selection," Dr Glaw observed.
This implies that the signature "Pinocchio" nose of the reptiles is not just for show but rather a product of millions of years of evolution.
Why Madagascar remains a hotspot for hidden species
Madagascar is well-known for being one of the world’s most biologically distinct countries. Over 40 per cent of the world’s known chameleon species occur in Madagascar.
According to scientists, discoveries such as Calumma pinocchio show that there is still more to be learned about the ecosystem of Madagascar.
There could be more undiscovered creatures hiding in the remote parts of the forest or misidentified within museum collections.
Moreover, the research emphasises the significance of incorporating conventional methods with innovative techniques in the study.
Without the use of genetic sequencing, the existence of the Pinocchio chameleon would likely have gone unnoticed.
For researchers, this discovery is a testament to how the natural world continues to conceal its mysteries even in the most unlikely of places.
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