Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet
# @# U6 v7 g, y7 @By Wil Longbottom
) ~1 U7 Q: I* H# n7 \# y公仔箱論壇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。9 c) h1 c C. @2 y5 d( Y' |+ k9 I7 h
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.
7 k) ]- ?% |2 h9 g公仔箱論壇Balanced 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.* z+ V3 F0 R3 c& O" [' w$ w
5 [6 Z; l9 X F. M/ \tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb 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。! [2 A' @8 w# g/ e
Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar* p5 ^; h) C( W2 A6 O$ D' r. [
! \# H; Y8 v/ j/ AThis particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet.
4 _/ i0 R# c' \, e, Q公仔箱論壇Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.
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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.'( a: w: R( q; V7 r @7 V: q5 `- u
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A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet7 j" r! V. i( {% u8 H, H( y3 r
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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。1 J i& z) K" p
Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascartvb now,tvbnow,bttvb0 ^; a# h( z# Y# X
" o$ ~, _. g O! R! W: R/ {; wTVBNOW 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。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. |