It has long been known that Calumma gallus from eastern Madagascar is not just one species, but rather an entire species complex. Scientists have now taken a closer look at the complex and conducted new genetic studies – completely overturning some species classifications in the process.

The short version:

What was previously thought to be Calumma nasutum from Andasibe, Anosibe An’Ala and Tarzanville is now called Calumma hofreiteri. The females still cannot be reliably distinguished from Calumma emelinae. The ‘real’ Calumma nasutum occurs in rainforests near Ranomafana and Mananjary. The males of Calumma nasutum have a significantly larger rostral appendage, which is often yellow in colour, while the females only have a red snub nose. Calumma nasutum belongs to the gallus complex.

What was previously thought to be Calumma gallus and occurs in the Vohimana reserve and surrounding area is now called Calumma pinocchio. The ‘real’ Calumma gallus occurs in a forest fragment near Tarzanville, in Tsinjoarivo and several small areas near Toamasina on the east coast of Madagascar. Its rostral appendage is serrated at the top, while the rostral appendage of Calumma pinocchio is smooth.

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
Frank Glaw, Stefanie Agne, David Prötzel, Philip-Sebastian Gehring, Jörn Köhler, Michaela Preick, Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Nicolas Straube, Katharina Wollenberg Valero, Angelica Crottini, Miguel Vences
Salamandra 61(4): 442-466, 2025.
DOI: not available
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Photo: from the above publication, Calumma nasutum