Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet
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His species is renowned for its ability to blend in, but this tiny critter is even better than most as the world's smallest chameleon.
5 Y) ] b9 B7 g5.39.217.76Balanced on the tip of a scientist's fingernail in Madagascar, the-three centimetre reptile is no bigger than the flies that form his average-sized cousin's lunch.
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Scientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island.
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Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar5.39.217.76( J8 U5 ^# B& Q- U# i9 m0 G
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This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet.
6 N) {! {+ X6 R$ e4 Qtvb now,tvbnow,bttvbTed Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.公仔箱論壇, b' I% r+ V, f7 q& b0 i
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He said: 'Their size suggests that chameleons might have evolved in Madagascar from small and inconspicuous ancestors, quite unlike the larger and more colourful chameleons most familiar to us today.'
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" q2 q ~$ i6 C6 e- L5 O1 N* X( u ~公仔箱論壇A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet公仔箱論壇5 U" \1 @" c7 K/ h5 _: D9 Z
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Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascartvb now,tvbnow,bttvb* k# w; l' h6 h7 b9 C
5 A8 H' ~5 a% A) ~' `5.39.217.76The new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size.
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8 _$ k/ F; p3 m7 Z4 R+ W( o6 }公仔箱論壇Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction. |
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