Vision in chameleons-A model for non-mammalian vertebrates.

Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae, Reptilia) are known for their extreme sensory and motor adaptations to arboreal life and insectivoury. They show most distinct sequences of visuo-motor patterns in threat avoidance and in predation with prey capture being performed by tongue strikes that are unparalleled in vertebrates. Optical adaptations result in retinal image enlargement and the unique capacity to determine target distance by accommodation cues.

Venous blood gases, plasma biochemistry, and hematology of wild-caught common chameleons .

The purpose of this study was to determine a wide range of selected hematologic, venous blood gases, and plasma biochemistry analytes in common chameleons . Blood samples were collected from the ventral tail vein of 41 common chameleons to determine reference intervals for 30 different blood analytes. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, packed cell volume (PCV), refractometric total solids (TS), blood cell counts, and differentials were also determined.

Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) as potential vectors for the dispersal of Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae is the cause of cholera, a devastating epidemic and pandemic disease. Despite its importance, the way of its global dissemination is unknown. V.

Phylogenetics, biogeography and population genetics of the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.

The wide distribution of the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri along the Mediterranean coasts has been documented since the eighteenth century. However, despite copious documentation, analyses of dispersal modes and genetic profiles were limited to local populations or restricted regions. In order to get a pan-Mediterranean overview, 288 specimens from 11 populations of B.

Avoidance of a moving threat in the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon): rapid tracking by body motion and eye use.

A chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) on a perch responds to a nearby threat by moving to the side of the perch opposite the threat, while bilaterally compressing its abdomen, thus minimizing its exposure to the threat. If the threat moves, the chameleon pivots around the perch to maintain its hidden position. How precise is the body rotation and what are the patterns of eye movement during avoidance? Just-hatched chameleons, placed on a vertical perch, on the side roughly opposite to a visual threat, adjusted their position to precisely opposite the threat.