Chameleon fluorescence under ultraviolet light

Flower gecko is famous for its ability to continuously change colors and weather. But under ultraviolet light, many species of chameleon are capable of emitting fluorescent light.

David Prötzel, the lead author of the study, said: "We can't believe our eyes when lighting chameleon in our collection with UV light, and almost all species show patterns. blue on the head that was not seen before. "

Chameleon fluorescence under ultraviolet light Picture 1

Next, the team set out to find out how and why this fluorescence emitted. First, they conducted a micro-CT scan of the chameleon, and found that the glowing patterns were completely similar to the models of mammals - clavicle spots protruding from the skull of them.

By replicating the 3D model of tissue cells, the researchers later discovered that the skin is transparent and very thin in the head that acts as a window for UV rays to reach the bone, from that fluorescence naturally comes out.

Frank Glaw, co-author of the study, said: "We have long known that bone fluorescence under sunlight, but animals using this phenomenon to fluorescence surprised us because not yet. Known before ".

The researchers also found that different species or groups of species fluoresce according to different models, and males tend to have more fluorescence patterns than females.

This study was published in Nature Scientific Reports.

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