Scientists discovered that one of the rarest chameleons in the world "clings to survival" after it was thought that it would be extinct following its discovery in 1990s. This is according to a new study.Researchers found a small population of Chapman's Pygmy Chameleons (Rhampholeon Chamanorum), living in small areas of rainforest in southern Malawi, southeastern Africa.The discovery was made by a research team consisting of members of the South African National Biodiversity Institute, (SANBI), and Museums of Malawi. They found the first chameleon at the forest's edge.Krystal Tolley (lead author), a South African herpetologist at SANBI and the University of the Witwatersrand, stated in a statement that she felt goosebumps when they found it. "We weren't sure if we would get more, but once in the forest, there was plenty of them, although I don't know how long it will last.Similar: Photos: Clever Chameleons Stick Out Their TonguesChapman's Pygmy Chameleons are 2.2 inches (5.5 centimeters long) and can walk on the forest floor. They hide themselves by mimicking the patterns of dead leaves. According to the statement, they were found in a dying rainforest in the Malawi Hills in 1992. They were then released into a separate forest near Mikundi (also in Malawi) to improve their survival chances.The team compared satellite images taken in modern times of the Malawi Hills forest with those taken in 1980s. They found that the forest had declined by around 80%. Researchers identified areas where chameleons might still be present and conducted a survey by walking nightly along forest trails with torchlights when they are more easily seen.The team found 17 adult chameleons in two forest patches in Malawi Hills and 21 juvenile chameleons in one patch close to Mikundi. According to the study, there may be more chameleons in other forest areas that the team wasn't able to survey.Researchers took small tissue samples from the tails and DNA of some adult chameleons. They then returned the chameleons to where they were found. The genetic sequences of the chameleons in the three forest patches were very different, suggesting that they are becoming more isolated and are unable to cross-pollinate genes between the forest patches.Tolley stated that the forest destruction must be addressed immediately to prevent this species from becoming extinct. Tolley stated that urgent conservation actions are needed to stop forest destruction and recover habitat to encourage connectivity.Many of the Malawi Hills forests have been cleared and converted to agriculture. The team calls for a comprehensive plan to protect the critically endangered chameleons to ensure they don't disappear.The findings of the team were published in OryxThe International Journal of Conservation on Monday, August 2.Original publication on Live Science
