Madagascar's 'colourful' panther chameleon actually comprises of 11 different species

A new study has brought panther chameleon into limelight in Madagascar which is actually composed of eleven different species.

The study conducted at University of Geneva sought to find the genetic keys behind panther chameleon's incredible colour palette and their analyses, performed on site in Madagascar, reveal the presence of 11 rather than a single species.

The DNA (mitochondrial and nuclear) of each of the specimens were sequenced and analysed in the laboratory according to the hypothesis that a chameleon's dominant colour might be related to the geographic zone where it is found and most importantly, the genetic material indicated strong genetic structure among geographically-restricted lineages, revealing very low interbreeding among populations.

According to the study, each of the new chameleon species requires individual management, given that they each constitute a different part of the biodiversity of the whole and the visual classification key devised by the researchers could assist local biologists and trade managers to avoid local population over-harvesting.

The results appear in the latest issue of the Molecular Ecology journal.