They also reveal a second layer of the cells that reflect near-infrared light and might help the animals keep cool. Reptiles make colours in two ways: they have cells full of pigment for warm or dark colours, but brighter blues and whites come from light bouncing off physical elements like these crystals: so-called "structural colours". These colours can also be mixed.
A vibrant green might arise from a structural blue overlaid by yellow pigment. Some changes arise from shifting pigments. Tiny packets of the dark dye melanin, for example, can be spread throughout the tendrils of big "melanophore" cells - or gathered into the centre, to lighten the skin again. Many fish and reptiles grow lighter or darker in this way in response to stress, or to match their surroundings.
Panther chameleons, the subjects of the new study, do this as well. But males can also change between entirely different colours, turning a camouflaged green into a more spectacular yellow, for example, when they see a potential mate or a competitor. Until now, many scientists had thought that these changes arose from a similar dispersion trick with yellow or red pigment.
The new research suggests this is not the case. Published in the journal Nature Communications , the study was a collaboration between quantum physicists and evolutionary biologists at the University of Geneva.
First of all, the team noticed there were no big, spidery cells containing yellow or red pigment that could explain the shifts in hue. They hit upon the importance of the crystals when they looked inside a type of cell called an "iridophore" using an electron microscope. Whichever angle they looked at them from, the crystals formed an incredibly neat, regular pattern - just the sort of arrangement that creates structural colours. So Prof Milinkovitch and his colleagues set out to establish whether these crystals might explain not just the chameleon's bright colours, but its changes to those colours as well.
They filmed the chameleons' color changes using high-resolution videography and made numerical models that predict how the nanocrystals should reflect light. The researchers also manipulated the cells by subjecting them to solutions of varying concentrations, which caused the cells to swell or shrink. These modifications changed the distances between the nanocrystals, and altered their visible colors, just as the researchers predicted they would, Milinkovitch said.
However, only adult male chameleons change color, especially when they see a rival male chameleon they want to chase away, or a female to attract, Milinkovitch said. Females and young chameleons are dull-colored and have a very reduced upper layer of iridophore cells, he said. The findings may help engineers and physicists replicate the chameleon's color-changing capacities in new technology, such as appliances that eliminate reflection, Milinkovitch said.
The study was published online today March 10 in the journal Nature Communications. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue.
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Hi, Jess! Thanks for sharing this interesting article. It gives a more detailed explanation of HOW chameleons change colors. Welcome, Jessica! Check back every day for a new Wonder of the Day! We certainly do, Layla! They're so cool! Thanks for commenting, Mdh! Chameleons don't have to touch an object to take on its color.
Their special skin cells are responsible for changing their colors! Thanks for sharing your comment with us, Miss Flawless! Chameleons do not need to be touching an object to change colors.
They can do it all on their own! Thank you for asking, Jordan! So we always include a video with our Wonders of the Day. Many of our Wonder Friends have told us how much they like the videos! We hope you do too! That's cool, chloey! Thanks for sharing your connection to this Wonder! We appreciate you joining the discussion! Hi, Addyson! For more information, be sure to read the Wonder Article. According to the Wonder, "Chameleons change their color by manipulating specialized cells — called chromatophores — that contain different colors of pigment.
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We Wonder if you have seen a chameleon at your local zoo or reptile house? Could you imagine if humans could change colors like chameleons?
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Do you ever dress up in a particular color to match a certain mood? What color outfit would you wear when you're happy, sad, excited, or nervous? What made you choose certain colors to fit particular moods?
Why do you associate those colors with those moods? Have you ever seen a live chameleon? There are many different types of chameleons.
For a look at a few of the different types of chameleons around the world, check out National Geographic's Photo Gallery: Chameleons. Which chameleons fascinate you the most? Which one is the prettiest? Would you want a chameleon as a pet? Why or why not? Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words mood change color blend lizard tongue disguise social signal chameleon turquoise camouflage chromatophore manipulating specialized desk chair parrot Take the Wonder Word Challenge.
Join the Discussion. Siddharth Vemuri Oct 2, Oct 3, Hi Siddharth! You can use the date accessed--we don't list the publication date. Mar 28, Reagan Chameleon Sep 4, Oct 8, We think that it's really cool, too!
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