Pygmy hippopotamus the pygmy hippopotamus, are considered dwarf hippopotamuses, rather than pygmies. They are likely descended from a full-sized species of European hippopotamus, and reached their small size through the evolutionary process of insular dwarfism which is common on islands; the ancestors of pygmy hippopotami were also small and thus there was never a dwarfing process. There were also several species of pygmy hippo on the island of Madagascar (see Malagasy hippopotamus). Pygmy hippos share the same general form as a hippopotamus. They have a graviportal skeleton, with four stubby legs and four toes on each foot, supporting a portly frame. The
Northern pygmy salamander Northern pygmy salamander The northern pygmy salamander (or northern pigmy (sic), "Desmognathus organi") is a terrestrial species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae and genus "Desmognathus". Along with the southern pygmy ("D. wrighti") and the seepage salamander ("D. aeneus"), these are some of the smallest salamander species in North America and can be found in higher elevations in the southern Appalachians. "Desmognathus organi" can be identified by its small size, averaging only 40–60 mm total length, and its distinct herringbone pattern on the dorsal side and copper colored eyelids, which are traits only shared with "D. wrighti". Dorsal coloration can