A new chameleon species

There are several ways to discover new animal species, but usually a team of researchers undertakes a goal-oriented search. A British researcher did it differently: He observed monkeys and discovered a new species of chameleons.

The British Marshall (University of York) has been doing research for eleven years in the Tanzanian Magombera Forest. During one of his observations of a red colobus monkey he encountered a snake in the jungle. The snake startled and spit out her meal. This appeared to be a yet unknown chameleon. The chameleon was examined and compared to two other chameleons that were found by researchers nearby. The new chameleon species is called Kinyongia magomberae.
Chameleons usually live in a relatively small, specialised habitat and the Magombera Forest is endangered. The project Marshall is working on combines biology research with education to the locals on managing the forest sustainably. The ultimate goal is to make the Magombera Forest a protected region, whereby the income of the local inhabitants is guaranteed in some other way than from the forest.