Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet5.39.217.76, ]5 m8 E% M* r2 ?
By Wil Longbottom 2 s$ H( ^0 f n! Z4 {9 V公仔箱論壇 " ?6 ~ q! ^: M- MHis species is renowned for its ability to blend in, but this tiny critter is even better than most as the world's smallest chameleon.& p' m! w0 q# O. x7 k5 o
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) C* }0 N' d+ Z" E% p2 _/ h
6 J. e3 I- Y7 Z* ?" 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。Scientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island.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。! e V' n& x! U+ c. {8 {' \& M1 z% Y
( `7 b, D& y3 t! s% ntvb now,tvbnow,bttvb 6 _/ G) W: K: ~' i, e# r8 f6 yTiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascartvb now,tvbnow,bttvb+ @0 G+ O4 \9 L& s+ \- f
: k2 v2 v4 [( T! i% u$ AThis particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb" C) c) s# C5 E
Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species. 8 L% W( o+ ]. y2 b; ~2 |" |; Y& l # t& t1 o2 E3 ~+ @2 \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。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.'公仔箱論壇6 {9 K! I! M( O' L4 e! t) Q+ O$ |# v2 E
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A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet 6 ~. `9 J- @% d/ g, C5 p+ ^+ _- X$ x- x- F( V) l4 n) h ~* c5 j, ]- _4 J$ T* ^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。Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar/ c K0 ^9 B# X3 f, d
" `+ J2 D0 L0 t( L DThe new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size. 7 @9 h! m; I3 S$ m6 Q2 z( Qtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb) b* v) Q8 M" i$ `3 F
Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.