11 new species of chameleons counted biologists in Madagascar

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Swiss biologists during the expedition to Madagascar gathered evidence of the existence of 11 species of chameleon pantherina.

A team of biologists from Geneva and Madagascar conducted a major study pantherina chameleon is endemic to Madagascar. Scientists took photos of 324 individuals from different populations of these lizards, living separately in different parts of the island. Also, reptiles were taken blood samples for further study of DNA. The photos were taken on the moment of catching the chameleon, to prevent the effects of stress on the colour of animals, and then made the necessary tests. Using the data collected, biologists tested the hypothesis that the coloration of the body at the pantherina subspecies of the chameleon depends mainly on their habitats.

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The researchers confirmed. Mathematical analysis of color photographs with high resolution revealed that reptiles General habitat have similar patterns and color. Laboratory examination of DNA showed that individuals of one population are genetically identical. While pantherina chameleons, living in different parts of Madagascar, differ genetically, and colors. As established biologists, crossing between them occur very rarely. Based on the collected data, the Swiss scientists under the leadership of Michel Milinkovic at the University of Geneva propose to allocate 11 species pantherina chameleon.

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As the authors of a study published in the journal Molecular Ecology, help in the classification of species, maybe they created the program "color Analysis" that compares the color characteristics of each species at the pictures and automatically assigns it to one or the other population on the basis of mathematical analysis.

Pantherina chameleon is one of the most striking endemics of Madagascar. Specimens reach a length of 52 cm type is characterized by a pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are always larger than females and have a more vivid color. Young chameleons are usually gray, but reaching sexual maturity, they are painted in the most bizarre colors dominated by shades of green, brick red and turquoise.

Adaptive changes of color in chameleons is associated with thermoregulation, sexual selection, the need for protection from predators and speciation. published 

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Source: www.moya-planeta.ru/news/view/11_novyh_vidov_hameleonov_naschitali_biologi_na_madagaskare_12338/

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