Scientists have found that the panther chameleon, a species with spectacular intra-specific colour variations, found in Madagascar, actually comprises eleven different species.
Madagascar is home to extraordinary biodiversity. Due to deforestation in the past few decades, the island's forests and associated biodiversity have been under greater attack than ever.
The study was carried out by Michel Milinkovitch, professor of genetics, evolution, and biophysics at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) with colleagues in Madagascar.
Their analyses reveal the presence of eleven species rather than a single species.
It took two expeditions led from East to West for the scientists to collect a drop of blood from each of 324 individuals and document them through colour photographs.
The analysis of colour photographs of the species demonstrated that subtle colour patterns could efficiently predict assignment of chameleon individuals to their corresponding genetic lineage.
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This confirms that many of the geographical populations might need to be considered separated species.
The scientists then simplified their analysis of the colour diversity into a classification key that allows to link most chameleons to their corresponding species using only the naked eye.
"Given the charismatic nature of chameleons, besides a better understanding of the genetic basis of colour variation in chameleons, the study will help to continue its difficult enterprise: raising awareness for the staggering but fragile biodiversity hosted by Madagascar," Milinkovitch concluded.
The results appeared in the journal Molecular Ecology.