Bruno's Dwarf Chameleon

Distribution

This species, described in 2012, is reliably only known from a small (< 15 km2) area of semi-arid deciduous forests in the southern-eastern highlands of Madagascar, although it is suspected to have a wider distribution (Crottini et al. 2012). It is possible that previous records of other Brookesia species in the southern highlands refer to B. brunoi and there is an unconfirmed photographic Brookesia record from near Ambovombe (Hofmann 2012), ca. 375 km air distance from the type locality, that seems to refer to B. brunoi (Crottini et al. 2012). Further studies of existing museum collections and new field surveys are needed to determine the actual distribution of this new taxon.

Status

Listed as Near Threatened based on the the species having an estimated small distribution which could make it vulnerable to stochastic events. This species is only reliably known from a small (< 12 km2) area of semi-arid deciduous forest in Madagascar, although it is suspected to have a wider distribution. The forest where the species occurs is relatively well protected (Anja Reserve) and although future plausible, even imminent, threats have been identified there are no major threats facing the species at this time. If the threats from logging and agriculture became operational the species would need to be immediately re-assessed because the threats might be severe enough to qualify as Critically Endangered because its range is < 12 km2, it occurs in a single location and there would be a decline in area and quality of habitat.

Behavior

B. brunoi, like all Brookesia species is diurnal, hunting small insects among the leaf litter of the forest floor.
At night, this species roosts at low heights above the ground in bushes, as is typical for Brookesia chameleons.