It was first described by Raxworthy and Nussbaum in 1995 from the genus Brookesia.
Brookesia bonsi is endemic to Tsingy de Namoroka Strict Nature Reserve (Namoroka National Park; Reserve naturelle no. 8 du Tsingy de Namoroka) in Soalala District, Mahajanga Province, northern Madagascar.
Brookesia griveaudi is endemic to northeastern Madagascar, and has a type locality of the Marojejy National Park and on the Marojejy Massif, in the region of Sava.
Brookesia thieli, commonly also known as Domergue's leaf chameleon, is a species of chameleon endemic to eastern Madagascar, with a type locality of Ambodimanga, Andapa.