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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 8d

A new geographic distribution in the latest issue of African Herp News details new records of Rieppeleon brachyurus in Mozambique, including the first record south of the Zambezi River.
African Herp News is available to HAA members or publicly after ~1 yr: africanherpetology.org/african-herp...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 8d

A new note details egg-laying in Chamaeleo dilepis in Kenya, documenting the process from excavation through departure, noting female color changes & local superstitions about finding a digging chameleon.
African Herp News is available after ~1 year: africanherpetology.org/african-herp...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 18d

A reevaluation of chameleon foraging mode using movement- & attack-based indices. Chameleons spent most of the day in stationary positions & fed more when stationary than when moving, suggesting they should be considered ambush foragers rather than "cruise foragers".
academic.oup.com/cz/advance-a...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Current Biology @currentbiology.bsky.social · Sep 8

In our latest issue, we're going ballistic!

On the cover, a chameleon capturing prey, using its ballistic tongue, driven by a linear actuator, a skeletal rod squeezed out by muscles. So ingenious is the solution that lungless salamanders evolved it too... 🦎

www.cell.com/current-biol...

A Wolkberg dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion transvaalense) using its ballistic tongue to capture prey.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 29d

Some nice coverage on our new chameleon and salamander feeding paper: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujjq...

Ballistic Tongues: How do they do that? | The Bat Signal

YouTube video by Dan Riskin

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · Aug 28

While similar mechanistically, ballistic tongues of chameleons & salamanders were each assembled via a different sequence of innovations, highlighting how biomechanical modularity, rather than exceptional materials, underlies this vertebrate ballistic innovation.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · Aug 28

Chameleons & salamanders evolved a sliding-based linear actuator to launch the tongue via muscular squeezing of a tapered skeletal rod, contrasting with tendon-driven pulling mechanisms common in most musculoskeletal systems, allowing acceleration along a straight path.
www.cell.com/current-biol...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · Aug 22

A new article documents a new locality for the Endangered Calumma vencesi in the Sorata Forest of NE Madagascar. Their presence supports the need to conserve this valuable mountain forest, which is also home to the likely Critically Endangered Brookesia nana.
www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/v...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · Aug 15

A 2nd clutch of Bradypodion melanocephalum from Durban was born in the lab this week (in addition to the clutch from Hilton ~2.5 weeks ago)! Here a 2 day old neonate is next to an ~12 week old juvenile (clutch has grown 6-10x in mass since birth). Lots of cool data being collected in the lab!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · Aug 6

Half of respondents reported seeing flashlights shining at night & some reported trespassing & confrontational interactions with individuals repeatedly entering their yards to collect chameleons, highlighting the importance of recognizing social impacts of species introductions.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · Aug 6

A study on societal impacts of introduced populations of F. pardalis in Florida found that residents knew of but expressed low concern about the chameleons' presence, expressing more concern for their safety given the activities of private collectors.
digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcont...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · Aug 6

Some hopeful news on the Critically Endangered Furcifer belalandaensis, which was recently discovered in some less disturbed habitat than it has previously been known from, possibly providing an opportunity to better protect the species!
Article: greenauve.org/new-hope-for...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · Jul 26

A clutch of Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” born in the lab today! Immediately getting some metabolic rate data from them to follow through ontogeny! Have also been getting metabolic rate data from the mother for the last 3 months and will continue as she recovers from birth as well!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · Jul 7

Anderson lab members are coauthoring 11 talks and posters with collaborators at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyology and Herpetology (JMIH) this week in St. Paul, MN!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 31

Two female Trioceros jacksonii, which appear to be T. j. xantholophus with rostral horns, from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 31

Trioceros hoehnelii from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 31

Some Trioceros hoehnelii from the Naro Moru route on Mount Kenya!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 27

Aberdares Montane Dwarf Chameleon (Trioceros kinangopensis)!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 27

Kenya Montane Viper (Montatheris hindii)!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 27

High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii)!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · May 27

Members of the Anderson Lab (past and present) in Kenya. Of course they are finding lots of cool chameleons and other herps! Stay tuned for some cool highlights!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · Apr 22

Headed home from a successful trip!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · Apr 15

Recording feeding trials at different temperatures using high-speed video to look at thermal effects on performance in elastic recoil- and muscle-powered movements.