Inputs by Alekhya Chavan
For decades, scientists have tried to explain phenomenae like bioluminescence (how do fireflies produce light) and the color-changing of chameleons.
Chameleons are normally green for camouflage and communication. When they want to impress or intimidate, they change colors.
A new research suggests that they do this with tiny crystals in their skin cells called “iridophores.”
Iridophores are like little mirrors that reflect light in different ways to create colors. Stretching their skin rearranges these crystals, changing their color. They are arranged in a lattice like pattern just under the skin of the chameleons.
As we can see in the image above, different species of chameleons were found to have different patterns of iridophores.
Chameleons also have a secret layer of iridophores that reflect heat-producing infrared light. This helps them control their temperature.
The paper was published by Teyssier, J., Saenko, S., van der Marel, D. et al. All the researchers are from the University of Geneva.
The scientists used techniques like microscopy, photometric videography (videos that measure light), and photonic band-gap modelling.
You can read the original article here.
Source for all images and content: Teyssier, J., Saenko, S., van der Marel, D. et al. Photonic crystals cause active colour change in chameleons. Nat Commun 6, 6368 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7368