Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet * Q7 V$ p2 A8 S" \By Wil Longbottom ; ]4 Q' L8 R* z" N4 E: G 9 L: Q) w" z, O' ?9 ?: W" K5 O5.39.217.76His species is renowned for its ability to blend in, but this tiny critter is even better than most as the world's smallest chameleon. ( h3 U" T& i/ ~3 ^3 R NBalanced 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2 |: V/ p# q3 O j% {. r( J
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Scientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island. ( `0 M' T w% j4 t2 u" T公仔箱論壇 , [# G8 K* o- L+ f 4 E' ~/ M! w, x) x8 JTiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar7 r% {/ W3 M" T. Y, s
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This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet.公仔箱論壇$ M2 H4 e9 c$ o$ Z: E: m
Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.5.39.217.76/ r; E% @5 }- X& ]
s* M: ]3 @) Y, I6 M公仔箱論壇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.'# i5 q/ E* W; p, ], l5 Y3 [5 b: |$ V
3 J' p5 v+ [ X1 C) k R" `% P) K 3 b. d5 I! Y+ J5.39.217.76A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet 3 }. c' X+ o8 W) H; x4 ]0 ?tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb " F' k- ~8 P* h- ^1 _0 R* R* x5.39.217.76 - T8 W2 w4 ~1 `0 qtvb now,tvbnow,bttvbHard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar 4 w- }+ a* Z, l' l; q6 Y$ H5.39.217.76 : ~0 N# P: p0 [% y( B- K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. 4 Q( F g: M$ ?& q# U: A 2 @8 q/ m% X, L$ {7 U% v( stvb now,tvbnow,bttvbExperts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.
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