Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet ) y. E) V% b' A) k1 YBy Wil LongbottomTVBNOW 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。( q4 y: x; F% t( [3 A( _( [8 x
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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. " K% K( z/ z2 `, xtvb now,tvbnow,bttvbBalanced 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. 8 |% w2 q7 X6 v1 [1 B ( G9 m. Q8 t0 j8 s1 v. ltvb now,tvbnow,bttvbScientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island. ) Z% L9 U8 b4 S ( y6 Y! Q7 Q6 [3 k. q; k2 l公仔箱論壇 2 w ~3 P6 w. p* X% s$ ZTiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar % Y8 _) D' a: \- g, t6 w5 Itvb now,tvbnow,bttvb& \2 w$ X- ]5 Y% H3 X% W" h
This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet." W4 Y- ?1 s: q U6 \
Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species. 8 l% Z1 u# y5 a( G3 e; j, M @) l! u! C' V: F' @) ?" s
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.' $ L k7 b2 n. F% Jtvb now,tvbnow,bttvbtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb3 x. S8 L0 k8 n6 H + R) B! j' d* M9 S( @A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet公仔箱論壇/ Z& ~2 e* [! N/ P8 d/ @1 V
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Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascartvb now,tvbnow,bttvb+ L0 p" q% a; E2 D! d
+ z3 [9 [' [. Q0 ^2 {$ I/ n6 x8 kThe new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size. 6 S2 L+ w, B' a# ~0 B8 @公仔箱論壇tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb9 Q8 V. g, f9 K2 o( y% b r) R
Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.