Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet公仔箱論壇- X2 c) I' L3 _+ Y
By Wil Longbottom
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& t4 O0 z1 T# h4 H3 I% ]4 nHis species is renowned for its ability to blend in, but this tiny critter is even better than most as the world's smallest chameleon.
8 @) @2 {" ~- o h, j$ ]# VBalanced 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." y r( i. d7 W
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Scientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island./ B1 i4 L/ @4 {) J
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3 C' i6 s ]3 G% C公仔箱論壇Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar- w( |( b m2 H2 C
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This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet.
3 J! o2 x( b/ T4 }; [; e; [5.39.217.76Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.公仔箱論壇) D+ \! y1 s! C; m8 e
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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.'TVBNOW 含有熱門話題,最新最快電視,軟體,遊戲,電影,動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。/ ?: p+ o( D8 R$ `: g- O; [
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A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet) U7 d3 z& f; `3 a$ H
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Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar
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The new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size.
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Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction. |