Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planettvb now,tvbnow,bttvb" C8 Q& X X- u8 G
By Wil Longbottom, z9 V4 [8 `2 m# n f) H2 w
! T+ Y( z+ K! ?1 |4 V6 W \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.! s9 t, {8 ^/ ?9 l
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.公仔箱論壇( l r0 b' b7 \; C3 {
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Scientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island. 0 @% z; K9 `0 h* u5 Y8 {6 `6 FTVBNOW 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。公仔箱論壇9 ~/ R) u) ?: [1 m/ P$ J, C 5.39.217.76; y6 ~; t3 {! ^0 P/ l: J P) h' g4 R
Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar公仔箱論壇+ `! D- }- g( ^3 Q1 Y7 U' b
. b9 d/ q' ^7 z2 J* g5.39.217.76This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet.公仔箱論壇" x* l n3 x& [7 y5 m/ x
Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species. , {' O6 u# V& [) @! v7 m5.39.217.76( {( d0 y) r4 Z4 r' k/ ], _5 b9 w
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.'& V7 m S% q( Q" P, b* l2 k+ Y
5 o' O" s7 [2 ]8 @0 dTVBNOW 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 ] g9 W5 Z0 b) W& L, z
A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet5.39.217.76& @/ N* @# f! @1 E5 u
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Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar3 P$ P2 t) ~! m7 y
( d2 b1 l s* v4 W( @5 o3 h9 \公仔箱論壇The new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size. 1 a+ f/ n) z" O( w6 U - X5 ~+ a$ P& c, ^Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.
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