So: What Panther species do you really have??

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Chameleons Are So Good At Hiding, We Didn't Know They Were 10 Species

http://io9.com/chameleons-are-so-go...utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

 

[Carlton]

Chameleons Are So Good At Hiding, We Didn't Know They Were 10 Species

http://io9.com/chameleons-are-so-go...utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Well, depending on how you define the term "species" it would be a natural progression from one or two founder species that dispersed throughout a wide area of similar habitat (maybe Madagascar's early habitats were less diverse). As habitats become more isolated and distinct, the chams there also became more distinct due to a limited gene pool. Eventually they would be different enough from the originial stock to meet the current criteria of a separate species.

 

[sapphira80]

Well, depending on how you define the term "species"...

I was wondering the exact same thing when I read that article. I think all, or at least the vast majority, of species (including humans) have different haplogroups. That doesn't make them separate species does it? They are all Furcifer pardalis. Does each location origin count as a subspecies? I'm no expert, especially with panther chameleons.