Ecomorphs and Their Predictable Perch Picks

Sometimes, science sets out to prove what seems intuitively obvious—like whether different body types of chameleons prefer different branches. In a comprehensive study, Barends, Petford, and Tolley (2025) examined 1,755 individuals from 38 populations of South African dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion spp.) to test this very question. They categorized the chameleons into three ecomorphs: forest, bushland, and the so-called "small brown chameleon," each associated with distinct habitats and morphologies.

Using nighttime field measurements, researchers recorded perch diameter and angle along 100-meter transects. Forest ecomorphs, which are gracile and brightly ornamented, used a wide variety of branches without clear preference. In contrast, the small brown ecomorphs—cryptic and lightly built—actively avoided thicker vertical branches, despite their abundance. Bushland chameleons, heavier-bodied and short-tailed, showed a tendency toward thicker, less vertical perches, especially among females.

While the results confirmed that ecomorphs do occupy different structural niches, the patterns largely mirrored habitat availability. The study's strength lies in its scale and precision, though its premise—testing perch preference by body type—feels like a formal nod to the obvious.

Citation: 

Barends, J.M., Petford, M.A., & Tolley, K.A. (2025). Comparing perch availability and perch use between African dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion) ecomorphs. Current Zoology, 71(5), 633–644. https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoae076