Divergent evolution between

Chamaeleon dilepis and

Reticulated python

Figure 1: chameleon and python illustration by the author.

Python an chameleon, are both part of the animalia kingdom and phylum chordata, class reptilia
(paraphiletic group), subclass diapsids. They belong to the Lepidosaurs superorder and squamata
order, being the chameleon part of the suborder iguania and the python from the suborden
Sclerogoss, according to the classification based on soft anatomical characters .

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 Figure 2: According to Michael S. Lee (2000) this is the most parsimonious cladogram to describe squamates
(lizards and snakes)

If wee look at the comparison of distinctive characters of both Iguania and Sclerogossa characters
we will find a couple of differences.
Python sinapomorphies : Chameleon sinapomorphies:

Iguania
Dewlap present.
Intercostalis ventralis muscle absent.
Dracomorph brain organization.
Sclerogossa
Vestibulum of nasal cavity elongated.
Cephalic scales few but large .
Dental glands present (1.0).
Mid-dorsal scales same size as other dorsals .
Lingual mucocytes serous and muco-
Pseudotemporalis profundus muscle of jaw with anteriorhead. serous.
Intrinsic circular tongue muscles form thick ring Jacobson’s organ Allocholic acid present as main bile
at least moderately developed. salt.
Jacobson’s organ epithelium with at least 2.5 receptor cells per Hemipenial sheath present.
supporting cell. ventral cloacal glands a single mass.
Olfactory epithelium with at least 2 receptor cells per
Perforatorial base plate of
supporting cell. spermatozoon well-developed.
External nasal gland large. Epinuclear space of spermatozoon
Labial gland of upper jaw lost. large.
Glandular epithelium absent on at least foretongue. Mitochondria of spermatozoon
Tongue papillae low in profile. sinuous.

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ANATOMICAL DIFFERENCES:
At first, we could say chameleon belongs to a much more primitive group than the serpents, so
both of them have suffered from a series of evolutive modifications which separate them from
their common ancestor. The most remarkable difference between chameleon and python is that
the snake does not have any legs meanwhile chameleon does.
If we take a look at the skeleton of both animals we will spot the chameleon has 4 legs with fingers
at the end of each, making it able to grab itself to the trees. On the other hand, pythons have no
legs. However, the number of limbs has been increased in all the serpentes clade.
Chameleons are much less aggressive in their habitat when compared to the snakes, their
movements are slower, they tend to hide in the bush and up the trees using their colour patterns,
their particular eyes make them able to see 360º, preparing them to catch any kind of danger.
Main differences:
Legs
Eyes
Behaviour
Number of limbs
Tongue

Figure 3: Ilustration of the main anatomical display of the bones from both animals made by
the author. The main difference observed is the number of limbs and size of the upper side
of vertebrae.

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 Figure 4: comparison of the skull and, vertebrae and limbs by the author. Differences on the
type of teeth and jaws showing different types of feeding.

HYPOTHESIS: Why did these divergences occur?

At one time in the history of these animals a niche segregation occurred, some of them find it
more successful to hide up on the trees, as their size was reduced and became more passive
animals, they became insectivorous as a mutation occurred in the development of their tongues.
Meanwhile, the ancestors of the pythons suffered from a peramorfosis progress by which their
number of libs were increased, their developed a more aerodinamic body, specialized for moving
softly and hunting by choking their preys.
To analyze the divergences occurred within their bodies we should focus on their different niches.
Both of these animals suffered from a niche segregation, one of them becoming an aggressive
hunter and the other one an insectivore.
If we take a look at where the most of the species of chameleons are found, we will see the most of
them are in Madagascar, where you find a lot of different kind of insects and no danger for these
animals at all. Meanwhile, pythons live in South America rain forests, where the environment is
much more dangerous, they are exposed to changing conditions. Their bodies are well adapted to
this, meanwhile chameleons used their tongues for catching insects, they use it as a temperature
sensor to feel if there are any preys near, their bodies are well adapted to choking them and their
metabolism make them able to stay a long time without eating.
The divergences were caused by the segregation of their niches.

Annex:
Peramorfosis: exaggerated development of a trait when compared to the ancestors.

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References
--> Lee, M.S. (2000), Soft anatomy, diffuse homoplasy, and the relationships of lizards and snakes.
Zoologica Scripta, 29: 101-130. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-6409.2000.00035.x
-->Hickman CP. Animal Diversity. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education; 2007.

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