Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Bone Structure01:55

Bone Structure

52.0K
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
52.0K
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

40.5K
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
40.5K
Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

17.0K
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
17.0K
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

5.6K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
5.6K
The Hyoid Bone01:12

The Hyoid Bone

5.4K
The hyoid bone is a small U-shaped bone located in the upper neck at the level of the inferior mandible, with its tips pointing posteriorly. It does not directly articulate with any other bone in the body. The hyoid acts as the attachment site for the tongue, the larynx, and the pharynx. It is held in position by a series of small muscles attached from above or below. These muscles help to move the hyoid up/down or forward/back in coordination with movements of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx...
5.4K
Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy Bone

8.3K
All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
8.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genome-scale molecular systematics of Madagascar's occipital-lobed chameleons reveals polyphyly and mito-nuclear discordances.

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution·2026
Same author

<b>A new microhylid frog species of the genus <i>Platypelis</i> from phytotelmata of <i>Pandanus</i> screw pines in the Sorata massif, northeastern Madagascar</b>.

Zootaxa·2026
Same author

Evidence for fluorescence-supported species recognition in syntopic harvestmen.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Phenotypic variability in the western grass snake Natrix astreptophora, with description of a new subspecies from Morocco.

Zootaxa·2025
Same author

Molecular systematics of the enigmatic dwarf gecko Lygodactylus ornatus and description of a new species of the L. verticillatus group from the North West of Madagascar.

Zootaxa·2025
Same author

An updated survey of molecular diversity in Madagascar's velvet geckos, genus Blaesodactylus, with description of a new species from the islands arid West.

Zootaxa·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Widespread Transduction of Mouse Neocortical Neurons by Subarachnoid Injection of AAV2
07:40

Widespread Transduction of Mouse Neocortical Neurons by Subarachnoid Injection of AAV2

Published on: May 23, 2025

1.1K

Widespread bone-based fluorescence in chameleons.

David Prötzel1, Martin Heß2, Mark D Scherz1

  • 1Department of Herpetology, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247, München, Germany.

Scientific Reports
|January 17, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Many chameleon species exhibit unique bony skull tubercles that fluoresce blue under UV light. This previously unknown bone fluorescence in terrestrial tetrapods may play a role in chameleon signaling and species recognition.

More Related Videos

Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma
07:53

Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma

Published on: April 15, 2022

4.8K
Models of Bone Metastasis
08:49

Models of Bone Metastasis

Published on: September 4, 2012

43.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Widespread Transduction of Mouse Neocortical Neurons by Subarachnoid Injection of AAV2
07:40

Widespread Transduction of Mouse Neocortical Neurons by Subarachnoid Injection of AAV2

Published on: May 23, 2025

1.1K
Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma
07:53

Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma

Published on: April 15, 2022

4.8K
Models of Bone Metastasis
08:49

Models of Bone Metastasis

Published on: September 4, 2012

43.2K

Area of Science:

  • Zoology
  • Biophysics
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Fluorescence is common in marine life but rare in terrestrial vertebrates.
  • Bony structures in terrestrial animals rarely exhibit fluorescence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenomenon of fluorescence in chameleon skull structures.
  • To determine the function and systematic value of these fluorescent tubercles.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic examination of chameleon skulls to identify bony tubercles.
  • UV light exposure to observe fluorescence.
  • Spectrophotometry to analyze fluorescence emission spectra.

Main Results:

  • Many chameleon species possess bony skull tubercles that protrude through scales, acting as windows to the bone.
  • These tubercles fluoresce blue (peak emission ~430 nm) under UV light.
  • Tubercles show sexual dimorphism in some species and reflect species groups, indicating signaling and systematic value.

Conclusions:

  • Bone fluorescence, previously unobserved in terrestrial tetrapods, is widespread in chameleons, particularly in humid, UV-rich forest habitats.
  • This fluorescence likely serves as a signaling mechanism, potentially influencing sexual selection and species recognition.
  • The discovery opens new research avenues into chameleon communication and ornamentation.