Gecko change color to communicate, not to disguise

A new study shows that the gecko evolved its ability to discolour skin not to camouflage but actually to communicate quickly with people of the same type.

Scientists have known that this reptile uses the color changing ability for many purposes: to integrate into the environment, regulate body temperature and send signals to other geckos.

Instead of speaking or using incense, geckos communicate more visually by changing the color and pattern of the skin. Different colors and patterns have many meanings - similar to traffic lights that control drivers. For example, the more a male has a brighter color, the more dominant it is. Therefore, males can attract their partners or protect their territory by 'shining' their colors to others. To show obedience or order, a male will wear gray or gray. Females also use colors to signal when they want to reject geckos or are pregnant.

But how these traits evolve remains a mystery to this day.

Explain the ability to change colors

Devi Stuart-Fox, zoologist from Melbourne University, Australia and colleagues Adnan Moussalli, biologist at KwaZulu University Natal, South Africa, conducted experiments on 21 South African dwarf chameleon species to identify the whole Multiplication of color change ability is formed.

If camouflage controls the evolution of discoloration, geckos - the species with the largest variety of skin colors - will also have the greatest variety to be compatible with their habitat.

One hypothesis is that communication is the main driver of color change . Under these circumstances, the species with the largest color spectrum will have the most colorful 'performances'. So scientists put two male chameleon together and measured their color change. Stuart-Fox said: 'We can use the difference of' dominant 'colors and' subdued 'colors to measure their color change ability.'

Later, they put out these geckos a fake snake and a stuffed bird to observe the possibility of mixing with the environment when facing a predator.'We found that the most variable species is the one with the most obvious performance. While there is no relationship between changing colors and the variety of environments they must be compatible. That shows, it is the communication selection that is the main driver driving evolutionary change in this species. '

This means that geckos develop the ability to change colors first of all to associate with people, not to integrate into the environment.

Roger Hanlon, senior scientist at Woods Hole Aquatic Laboratory in Massachusetts, said: 'This study is particularly interesting because it clarifies a common misunderstanding in textbooks and ants. Everyone's consciousness, even with the scientific world that geckos are masters of makeup. Just look at the TV commercials that people see the image of gecko changing color. That's great but its ability to disguise with color lacks scientific evidence. '

Two male Jackson geckos are in close combat with clasped horns.Their bodies change color vividly to threaten their opponents.They all started out in light green but when one realized the risk of losing, it turned color to dark blue - a sign of surrender.A new study found that the ability of the gecko to discolor is not to camouflage but to communicate with the same type.(Photo: Adnan Moussalli and Devi Stuart-Fox)