11 new species of chameleon found in Madagascar

The panther chameleon is known for its remarkable ability to shift its skin colour through a rainbow of vibrant reds, greens, blues and yellows. The range of the lizard's colour palette has bewildered scientists, as it seems too amazing to be possible for a single species. Now scientists have figured out the chameleon's secret — it isn't a single species. There are actually 11 species of panther chameleon, each with its own unique colour patterns, scientists reported in a recent issue of the journal, Molecular Ecology. A team of researchers led by Michel Milinkovitch, a professor at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), was trying to understand the genetic key behind the panther chameleon's ability to change through such a vast range of colours. They took photographs of and collected drops of blood from 324 panther chameleons during two expeditions to the northeastern region of Madagascar. An analysis of DNA collected from the blood samples revealed surprising genetic diversity. "It was a a mix of something that was [and was] not totally expected. We started these studies because we were thinking there was something interesting there. So it was not completely out of the blue," Milinkovitch says.READ MORE -http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/11-new-species-of-chameleon-found-in-madagascar-1.3091615