Brookesia karchei — Franco’s Rediscovery in Marojejy

Brookesia karchei was described by Brygoo in 1978, with its terra typica set in the high, mist‑laden forests of the Marojejy Massif in northeastern Madagascar. It has long been considered one of the country's most elusive leaf‑litter chameleons, rarely seen and scarcely reported for decades. The species inhabits cool, humid montane forest floors where deep leaf litter, constant moisture, and low temperatures create the microhabitats it depends on. For years its status remained uncertain, with almost no new records. Recent evidence brought by Franco, the guide, confirms that B. karchei still persists in remote pockets of Marojejy, quietly surviving in the hidden understory.