MINI-MELEON OF MADAGASCAR

Discovered:The mini-meleon that is one of the smallest reptiles on the planet

By Wil Longbottom, Daily Mail

Last updated at 8:17 AM on15th February 2012

  

Hisspecies is renowned for its ability to blend in, but this tiny critter is evenbetter than most as the world's smallest chameleon.

Balancedon the tip of a scientist's fingernail in Madagascar, the-three centimetrereptile is no bigger than the flies that form his average-sized cousin's lunch.

Scientistsdiscovered four new species - called Brookesia micra - on a small islet justoff the main island.

 

 

Tiny: This chameleon is smaller than a finger nail and wasdiscovered on an islet off Madagascar

Thisparticular chameleon is now thought to be one of the smallest reptiles on theplanet.

Ted Townsend,of San Diego State University, carried out genetic testing on the new species.

He said:'Their size suggests that chameleons might have evolved in Madagascar fromsmall and inconspicuous ancestors, quite unlike the larger and more colourfulchameleons most familiar to us today.'

Hard tospot: Scientists believe chameleons may have evolved on Madagascar

The newadditions to the chameleon species are only found in an area just a few squaremiles in size.

Expertsbelieve they may be especially sensitive to habitat destruction.

NOTE:  

To paraphrase George Fox, the founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), this morning, just atthe moment when I had given up all hope in mankind, I read about the discoveryof the "mini-meleon"  in Madagascar.

Like most people, I expect, including allchildren, I love chameleons and marvel at their existence.  How greatwould it be to be able to change one's coloring for protective camouflage atwill.  However practical it might be as an exercise, it also looks like themost fun in the world (except for flying, and chameleons can counterfeit that actionpretty well too as they take long leaps from ground onto walls or trees and back again).  

I remember seeing my first chameleons when Iwas 16 or 17 years old and visiting Puerto Rico with my parents.  Iwatched them constantly.  That was the trip where I felt the effects ofalcohol for the first time.  They ordered me one of those pina coladasserved in a large green hollowed-out coconut.  Itwas delicious and there's a photo of me somewhere looking very tanned, relaxed andthoughtful.  I suppose I'm still thoughtful, but I think I'd prefer to be tanned and relaxed.

Scientist Ted Townsend better not have harmedone scale on that mini-meleon’s head or body.