Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet 5 n. S! _/ n2 d6 y8 ^6 uBy Wil Longbottom 6 Q7 Y7 ], ]# K G. H+ T( m8 g X, r, \' h5 }$ t8 O% o4 M
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. . i/ f, c I$ c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. # s F( X6 `% Y% I/ X$ p" \9 |/ K: T r+ i3 u7 D3 X( D' ~
Scientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island. ; S7 \+ A# q; Z: x9 H6 L& [1 gtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb 0 |, d. l1 o8 x公仔箱論壇5.39.217.76+ B" M% D0 U! V
Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar 1 L: c5 B+ Z3 i& `* O公仔箱論壇' y' H% f! T# i; U8 D0 B l
This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet. $ k. U% z$ y9 r, i. g- ^* Q. k6 `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。Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.9 y% ~* z* F' r9 f
$ a: z7 A8 ]& m% V; S5.39.217.76He 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.' " p- ~ f/ w( D2 Ktvb now,tvbnow,bttvb5.39.217.76( j8 y: k$ v, S: z" I. H C+ G$ Q x. N# K# R& SA real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet公仔箱論壇2 k5 H/ p* H9 b2 l/ V, q
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Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar: D" x8 j8 x7 ^; Y) ~' t3 Q
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The new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size. 9 ?" L. l8 s( ~- z, v" k( H M, e5.39.217.76 $ h" ~, ?, i: qTVBNOW 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。Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.