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Photonic crystals cause active colour change in chameleons

Author

Listed:
  • Jérémie Teyssier

    (University of Geneva)

  • Suzanne V. Saenko

    (Laboratory of Artificial and Natural Evolution (LANE), University of Geneva, Sciences III, 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet, Geneva 1211, Switzerland)

  • Dirk van der Marel

    (University of Geneva)

  • Michel C. Milinkovitch

    (Laboratory of Artificial and Natural Evolution (LANE), University of Geneva, Sciences III, 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet, Geneva 1211, Switzerland)

Abstract

Many chameleons, and panther chameleons in particular, have the remarkable ability to exhibit complex and rapid colour changes during social interactions such as male contests or courtship. It is generally interpreted that these changes are due to dispersion/aggregation of pigment-containing organelles within dermal chromatophores. Here, combining microscopy, photometric videography and photonic band-gap modelling, we show that chameleons shift colour through active tuning of a lattice of guanine nanocrystals within a superficial thick layer of dermal iridophores. In addition, we show that a deeper population of iridophores with larger crystals reflects a substantial proportion of sunlight especially in the near-infrared range. The organization of iridophores into two superposed layers constitutes an evolutionary novelty for chameleons, which allows some species to combine efficient camouflage with spectacular display, while potentially providing passive thermal protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Jérémie Teyssier & Suzanne V. Saenko & Dirk van der Marel & Michel C. Milinkovitch, 2015. "Photonic crystals cause active colour change in chameleons," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7368
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7368
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    Cited by:

    1. Russell A Ligon & Kevin J McGraw, 2018. "A chorus of color: hierarchical and graded information content of rapid color change signals in chameleons," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 29(5), pages 1075-1087.
    2. Tyler R. Stevens & Nathan B. Crane & Rydge B. Mulford, 2023. "Topology Morphing Insulation: A Review of Technologies and Energy Performance in Dynamic Building Insulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-38, October.
    3. Qiwei Li & Zaozao Chen & Ying Zhang & Shuang Ding & Haibo Ding & Luping Wang & Zhuoying Xie & Yifu Fu & Mengxiao Wei & Shengnan Liu & Jialun Chen & Xuan Wang & Zhongze Gu, 2023. "Imaging cellular forces with photonic crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Pei Zhang & Iek Man Lei & Guangda Chen & Jingsen Lin & Xingmei Chen & Jiajun Zhang & Chengcheng Cai & Xiangyu Liang & Ji Liu, 2022. "Integrated 3D printing of flexible electroluminescent devices and soft robots," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Avital Wagner & Alexander Upcher & Raquel Maria & Thorolf Magnesen & Einat Zelinger & Graça Raposo & Benjamin A. Palmer, 2023. "Macromolecular sheets direct the morphology and orientation of plate-like biogenic guanine crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.

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