Discovered: The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet4 a" @$ e" j+ d
By Wil Longbottom : f4 f) e N& m$ a1 r5 |! x * |4 l7 u$ }) @0 gHis species is renowned for its ability to blend in, but this tiny critter is even better than most as the world's smallest chameleon.5.39.217.760 I% w9 M: i4 q; y; A% b
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. 5 J2 C; t$ s9 h4 u, d- g; B2 }5.39.217.76 & L$ I- U8 M9 N- L2 l ztvb now,tvbnow,bttvbScientists discovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet just off the main island. # p5 P2 ?3 C- b% G8 c# J$ V; g7 K. F* I R 公仔箱論壇7 c$ j1 L( L7 } Q n3 I
Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and was discovered on an islet off Madagascar 0 X" } z9 N' J公仔箱論壇/ N! |/ J4 W1 }) }/ ?; g3 y. H9 x
This particular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planet. % p8 B/ i, a& w# ]) U# E0 F2 @' R5.39.217.76Ted Townsend, of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.5.39.217.76; h$ J' V0 U) \ t
) f% t) g X5 J) T3 T& T+ 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.'tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb+ B( n7 [2 W% \
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A real match: The three-centimetre chameleon is thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on the planettvb now,tvbnow,bttvb0 L" m9 \% ]0 \! D& [; B
$ P& q4 B# C& b7 ?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。5.39.217.763 n. Z V* S* ^$ T4 Y
Hard to spot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar 5 Q2 R" W! o! A6 s+ v0 {! g% 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。 . k' k3 E2 F6 g/ s, R% o: GThe new additions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few square miles in size. 2 f" T; {! ` z M1 u. A# 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。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。6 C6 C/ J. ?: U
Experts believe they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.