The biology of chameleons / edited by Krystal A. Tolley and Anthony Herrel ; photo by Michele Menegon ; contributors, Christopher V. Anderson [and eleven others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Tolley, Krystal.

Herrel, Anthony.

Menegon, Michele.

Anderson, Christopher V.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chameleons.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (304 pages) : color illustrations, photographs

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, California : University of California Press, 2014.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

They change color depending on their mood. They possess uniquely adapted hands and feet distinct from other tetrapods. They feature independently movable eyes. This comprehensive volume delves into these fascinating details and thorough research about one of the most charismatic families of reptiles-Chameleonidae. Written for professional herpetologists, scholars, researchers, and students, this book takes readers on a voyage across time to discover everything that is known about chameleon biology: anatomy, physiology, adaptations, ecology, behavior, biogeography, phylogeny, classification, and conservation. A description of the natural history of chameleons is given, along with the fossil record and typical characteristics of each genus. The state of chameleons in the modern world is also depicted, complete with new information on the most serious threats to these remarkable reptiles. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Biology of the Chameleons: An Introduction / Krystal A. Tolley Tolley, Krystal A., Anthony Herrel Herrel, Anthony 1

2 Chameleon Anatomy / Christopher V. Anderson Anderson, Christopher V., Timothy E. Higham Higham, Timothy E. 7

2.1 Musculoskeletal Morphology 7

2.2 External Morphology and Integument 37

2.3 Sensory Structures 43

2.4 Visceral Systems 50

3 Chameleon Physiology / Anthony Herrel Herrel, Anthony 57

3.1 Neurophysiology 57

3.2 Muscle Physiology 59

3.3 Metabolism, Salt, and Water Balance 60

3.4 Temperature 61

3.5 Skin Pigmentation, Color Change, and the Role of Ultraviolet Light 61

3.6 Developmental Physiology 62

4 Function and Adaptation of Chameleons / Timothy E. Higham Higham, Timothy E., Christopher V. Anderson Anderson, Christopher V. 63

4.1 Locomotion 64

4.2 Feeding 72

5 Ecology and Life History of Chameleons / G. John Measey Measey, G. John, Achille Raselimanana Raselimanana, Achille, Anthony Herrel Herrel, Anthony 85

5.1 Habitat 86

5.2 Life-History Traits 97

5.3 Foraging and Diet 104

5.4 Predators 109

6 Chameleon Behavior and Color Change / Devi Stuart-Fox Stuart-Fox, Devi 115

6.1 Sensory Systems and Modes of Communication 116

6.2 Color Change 117

6.3 Social and Reproductive Behavior 120

6.4 Sexual Dimorphism: Body Size and Ornamentation 126

6.5 Antipredator Behavior 126

7 Evolution and Biogeography of Chameleons / Krystal A. Tolley Tolley, Krystal A., Michele Menegon Menegon, Michele 131

7.1 Evolutionary Relationships 131

7.2 Diversity and Distribution 134

7.3 Regional Diversity 138

7.4 Patterns of Alpha Diversity 146

7.5 Patterns of Beta Diversity 147

8 Overview of the Systematics of the Chamaeleonidae / Colin R. Tilbury Tilbury, Colin R. 151

8.1 Evolution of Methodology in Chameleon Taxonomy 153

8.2 Current Status of Taxonomy of the Chamaeleonidae 155

8.3 Subfamilial Groupings within Chamaeleonidae 155

8.4 Overview of Extant Genera 158

9 Fossil History of Chameleons / Arnau Bolet Bolet, Arnau, Susan E. Evans Evans, Susan E. 175

9.1 Phylogenetic Relationships of Iguania and Acrodonta 175

9.2 Fossil Record of Acrodonta 179

9.3 Origins of Acrodonta 187

9.4 Origins of Chamaeleonidae 190

10 Chameleon Conservation / Richard Jenkins Jenkins, Richard, G. John Measey Measey, G. John, Christopher V. Anderson Anderson, Christopher V., Krystal A. Tolley Tolley, Krystal A. 193

10.1 Conservation Status of Chameleons 193

10.2 Trade in Chameleons 201

10.3 Chameleons and Global Change 211

10.4 The Way Forward 214.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

Local Notes:

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2014. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.

Other Format:

Print version: Biology of chameleons.

ISBN:

9780520957381

OCLC:

905552166

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.