Palette of Isolation: Color-Driven Divergence in Parsons’ Chameleon

Male Calumma parsonii, the largest living chameleons, showcases an arresting palette of color variants, from emerald greens and soft turquoises to bold yellows and smoky blues. These visual signatures serve far beyond aesthetic charm. In disparate forest pockets across Madagascar, males develop distinct regional morphs that act as visual identifiers, guiding mate selection and reinforcing local gene pools. Female chameleons often favor familiar color forms, deepening the divide between populations. Vibrancy becomes more than display. It becomes direction. These brilliant hues evolve into tools of isolation, nudging one species toward many.

Left the s.c. Yellow Giant Parsons'  from Vohimana, right the s.c. White-Lip-Parsons' from Ranomafana