Scientists find Madagascar chameleon last seen 100 years ago

Researchers from Madagascar and Germany said they had discovered several living specimens of Voeltzkow’s chameleon during an expedition to the north west of the African island nation.

In a report published in the journal Salamandra, the team led by scientists from the Bavarian Natural History Collections ZSM said genetic analysis determined that the species is closely related to the Labord’s chameleon.

Researchers believe both reptiles only live during the rainy season — hatching from eggs, growing rapidly, sparring with rivals, mating and then dying during a few short months.

“These animals are basically the mayflies among vertebrae,” said Frank Glaw, curator for reptiles and amphibians at the ZSM.

Researchers said the female of the species, which had never previously been documented, displayed particularly colourful patterns during pregnancy, when encountering males and when stressed.

The scientist say that Voeltzkow’s chameleon’s habitat is under threat from deforestation.