Complex Analysis of Chameleon Color Signaling

[ChameSecret]

This is my first time posting in this section, so hey S&C!

I'm a lab grunt working in a systems neurobiology laboratory and lately my work life and my love of chameleons has converged. I have been reading primary literature trying to learn as much as I can about the information content of chameleon color changes.

I have read primary literature and reviews on chromatophore morphology and neuroanatomy, and as many peer reviewed sources on chameleon biology I can.. but I think I've hit a dead end. The most pertinent paper I've been able to find is "Chameleons communicate with complex colour changes during contests: different body regions convey different information" (Lignon & McGraw, 2013) http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/9/6/20130892.abstract which looks at male-male Veiled color signaling by body region and their how predictive changes are of the latency and outcome of a fight.To all biologically-inclined forum members: can anyone steer me towards other papers like this one? Alternatively, what does everyone think of this paper? Thanks!

 

[Chris Anderson]

This is my first time posting in this section, so hey S&C!

I'm a lab grunt working in a systems neurobiology laboratory and lately my work life and my love of chameleons has converged. I have been reading primary literature trying to learn as much as I can about the information content of chameleon color changes.

I have read primary literature and reviews on chromatophore morphology and neuroanatomy, and as many peer reviewed sources on chameleon biology I can.. but I think I've hit a dead end. The most pertinent paper I've been able to find is "Chameleons communicate with complex colour changes during contests: different body regions convey different information" (Lignon & McGraw, 2013) http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/9/6/20130892.abstract which looks at male-male Veiled color signaling by body region and their how predictive changes are of the latency and outcome of a fight.To all biologically-inclined forum members: can anyone steer me towards other papers like this one? Alternatively, what does everyone think of this paper? Thanks!

Rusty's work on chameleon color change is very good and the most recent research on the topic. Is there something in particular you are looking for? You might also look for Devi Stuart-Fox's work. In addition to her research publications, she also wrote a book chapter titled "Chameleon Behavior and Color Change" in the new "The Biology of Chameleons" book (edited by Krystal Tolley and Anthony Herrel). Rusty's work is new enough that it isn't covered in this chapter, but otherwise it is a summary of what is currently known about the topic. Might want to get a copy of it and have a look.

Chris

 

[ChameSecret]

Rusty's work on chameleon color change is very good and the most recent research on the topic. Is there something in particular you are looking for? You might also look for Devi Stuart-Fox's work. In addition to her research publications, she also wrote a book chapter titled "Chameleon Behavior and Color Change" in the new "The Biology of Chameleons" book (edited by Krystal Tolley and Anthony Herrel). Rusty's work is new enough that it isn't covered in this chapter, but otherwise it is a summary of what is currently known about the topic. Might want to get a copy of it and have a look.

Chris

Hey Chris, I've read a lot of your posts around the forums and I really appreciate your suggestion. Between Stuart-Fox's CV (SO many interesting) papers, their references, and the reasonably priced Biology of Chams book, that'll keep me occupied and reading for months. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction! I'm interested in what stimuli elicit specific coordinated color responses, but a paper like Ligon&McGraw but for panthers would also be fascinating. I've also been reading about chameleon vision and spatial attention (such as this paper ). They're so interesting and I just want to know more.