Taxonomic notes: Section empty

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.

Quantitative information on the population of this species is currently lacking but it appears to be locally abundant (Crottini et al. 2012).

This species inhabits the semi-arid deciduous forest of southern Madagascar where it forages on the leaf litter during the day and roosts on small bushes at night (Crottini et al. 2012). As a forest-dependent species it is unlikely to tolerate significant degradation to its forest habitats.

This is a recently described taxon and has never been recorded in trade but is listed on Appendix II of CITES. It is a new member of a Brookesia group that includes, B. stumpfii for which there is an annual export quota.

There are no direct threats to this species in Anja Reserve, but forest in the wider area is threatened by agriculture, logging and grazing (Crottini et al. 2012).

• 2.1.1 Shifting agriculture
• 5.3.3 Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest]
• 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming

The species occurs in the private Anja Reserve (Crottini et al. 2012).

• 1.2 Resource & habitat protection
• 1.1 Site/area protection

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.

• Crottini, A., Miralles, A., Glaw, F., Harris, D.J., Lima, A. and Vences, M. 2012. Description of a new pygmy chameleon (Chamaeleonidae: Brookesia) from central Madagascar. Zootaxa 3490: 63-74.
• IUCN. 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 13 November 2014).