White Lateral Line

[Albula]

On a panther chameleon, what role/purpose does the white lateral line play? Is it sensory or just decorative? Thanks

 

[werecat]

I am only guessing, but I always figured because of the broken pattern on most of them, the lateral line mimics the bright spots of dappled sunlight filtered through leaves. So I figure it helps with camouflage. Just my hypothesis.

 

[Albula]

I know that with fish, the lateral line is sensory. It helps them pick up vibrations.

 

[Chris Anderson]

The lateral (longitudinal) lines in chameleons are not sensory structures like in fish. They are simply color patterns. Whether they are related to either species or sexual recognition, camouflage, sexual selection, display, or what, however, likely depends on the species, but in general is not well understood.

Chris