Panther
chameleons are unique. Your average chameleon can change color, but the
range is usually limited. Panther chameleons have a wide color range.
Depending on where they live, the colors range from bright blue to red,
orange and green.
A
team of researchers traveled into the forests of Madagascar to study
the species. It took two expeditions for the researchers to take
pictures and collect blood samples from 324 panther chameleons.
The
researchers believe the chameleon’s dominant color are related to the
geographic area it is located in. Each specimen’s DNA was sequenced and
analyzed based on this belief. The analysis also showed there was very
low interbreeding among populations.
Researchers then looked at the photographs of each specimen. Mathematical analysis of the photographs showed “that
subtle colour patterns could efficiently predict assignment of
chameleon individuals to their corresponding genetic lineage, confirming
that many of the geographical populations might need to be considered
separate species.”
Next,
the researchers simplified the color analysis into a classification
key. Using this, they could link nearly all the chameleons to their
species just by looking at the photographs.
“This
case of hidden speciation confirms a major characteristic of
Madagascar: it is amongst the most diverse places for life on Earth; a
biodiversity hotspot,” reads the press release.
The
researchers also highlighted the threats facing this biodiversity
hotspot. Right now, human activities (such as deforestation) are
threatening 400 species of reptile, 300 species of amphibians, 300
species of birds and thousands of species of plants and invertebrates.
The
situation is even more dire because nearly all living species in
Madagascar are endemic. This means they are exclusive to Madagascar.
The researchers are giving their visual classification key to locals to help prevent population overharvesting.
The study was published in the journal Molecular Ecology.
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