Anderson Lab
@andersonlabusd.bsky.social
Studying comparative biomechanics, functional morphology & the physiology of movement, mostly in chameleons and anoles; All views our own
A 2nd clutch of Bradypodion melanocephalum from Durban was born in the lab this week (in addition to the clutch from Hilton ~2.5 weeks ago)! Here a 2 day old neonate is next to an ~12 week old juvenile (clutch has grown 6-10x in mass since birth). Lots of cool data being collected in the lab!
August 15, 2025 at 3:44 AM
A 2nd clutch of Bradypodion melanocephalum from Durban was born in the lab this week (in addition to the clutch from Hilton ~2.5 weeks ago)! Here a 2 day old neonate is next to an ~12 week old juvenile (clutch has grown 6-10x in mass since birth). Lots of cool data being collected in the lab!
A clutch of Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” born in the lab today! Immediately getting some metabolic rate data from them to follow through ontogeny! Have also been getting metabolic rate data from the mother for the last 3 months and will continue as she recovers from birth as well!
July 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
A clutch of Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” born in the lab today! Immediately getting some metabolic rate data from them to follow through ontogeny! Have also been getting metabolic rate data from the mother for the last 3 months and will continue as she recovers from birth as well!
Anderson lab members are coauthoring 11 talks and posters with collaborators at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyology and Herpetology (JMIH) this week in St. Paul, MN!
July 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Anderson lab members are coauthoring 11 talks and posters with collaborators at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyology and Herpetology (JMIH) this week in St. Paul, MN!
Two female Trioceros jacksonii, which appear to be T. j. xantholophus with rostral horns, from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya.
May 31, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Two female Trioceros jacksonii, which appear to be T. j. xantholophus with rostral horns, from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya.
Trioceros hoehnelii from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya!
May 31, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Trioceros hoehnelii from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya!
Some Trioceros hoehnelii from the Naro Moru route on Mount Kenya!
May 31, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Some Trioceros hoehnelii from the Naro Moru route on Mount Kenya!
Aberdares Montane Dwarf Chameleon (Trioceros kinangopensis)!
May 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Aberdares Montane Dwarf Chameleon (Trioceros kinangopensis)!
Kenya Montane Viper (Montatheris hindii)!
May 27, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Kenya Montane Viper (Montatheris hindii)!
High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii)!
May 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii)!
Members of the Anderson Lab (past and present) in Kenya. Of course they are finding lots of cool chameleons and other herps! Stay tuned for some cool highlights!
May 27, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Members of the Anderson Lab (past and present) in Kenya. Of course they are finding lots of cool chameleons and other herps! Stay tuned for some cool highlights!
Headed home from a successful trip!
April 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Headed home from a successful trip!
Recording feeding trials at different temperatures using high-speed video to look at thermal effects on performance in elastic recoil- and muscle-powered movements.
April 15, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Recording feeding trials at different temperatures using high-speed video to look at thermal effects on performance in elastic recoil- and muscle-powered movements.
Searching for Bradypodion sp. “Emerald” (Emerald Dwarf Chameleons) and a couple things along the way.
April 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Searching for Bradypodion sp. “Emerald” (Emerald Dwarf Chameleons) and a couple things along the way.
Finding and photographing Bradypodion thamnobates, and animal care in the field at Colin Tilbury’s house.
April 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Finding and photographing Bradypodion thamnobates, and animal care in the field at Colin Tilbury’s house.
Finishing off some collection and checking out some other local chameleon taxa.
Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” & Bradypodion cf. thamnobates “Karkloof”
Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” & Bradypodion cf. thamnobates “Karkloof”
April 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Finishing off some collection and checking out some other local chameleon taxa.
Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” & Bradypodion cf. thamnobates “Karkloof”
Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” & Bradypodion cf. thamnobates “Karkloof”
Some good luck finding chameleons & some looks at a few local snakes thanks to help from local herpers Nick Evans & Carla Goede!
Bradypodion melanocephalum, Chamaeleo dilepis, Python natalensis hatchlings, & Dastpeltis inornata.
Bradypodion melanocephalum, Chamaeleo dilepis, Python natalensis hatchlings, & Dastpeltis inornata.
April 8, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Some good luck finding chameleons & some looks at a few local snakes thanks to help from local herpers Nick Evans & Carla Goede!
Bradypodion melanocephalum, Chamaeleo dilepis, Python natalensis hatchlings, & Dastpeltis inornata.
Bradypodion melanocephalum, Chamaeleo dilepis, Python natalensis hatchlings, & Dastpeltis inornata.
Off for a round of fieldwork in South Africa! Pictures from the trip and work to follow as usual.
April 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Off for a round of fieldwork in South Africa! Pictures from the trip and work to follow as usual.
Further, we show that supercontracting muscle in chameleons may share common contractile and structural properties due to a common origin from occipital somites. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/... 6/6
April 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Further, we show that supercontracting muscle in chameleons may share common contractile and structural properties due to a common origin from occipital somites. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/... 6/6
We propose this broadened length-tension relationship is achieved through sarcomere length non-uniformity with muscle fibers across the muscle belly at different starting lengths during contraction, resulting in some fibers shortening onto their force plateau while others shorten off it. 5/6
April 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
We propose this broadened length-tension relationship is achieved through sarcomere length non-uniformity with muscle fibers across the muscle belly at different starting lengths during contraction, resulting in some fibers shortening onto their force plateau while others shorten off it. 5/6
One does so with perforated z-discs, representing the 2nd known example of supercontracting muscle in vertebrates. The other, on the other hand, has typical, uninterrupted z-discs & should therefore be limited in the range of lengths over which it is able to change & continue to exert force. 4/6
April 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
One does so with perforated z-discs, representing the 2nd known example of supercontracting muscle in vertebrates. The other, on the other hand, has typical, uninterrupted z-discs & should therefore be limited in the range of lengths over which it is able to change & continue to exert force. 4/6
Chameleons rely on greater hyoid motion than other lizards & associated muscles may benefit from supercontractile properties. We show that 2 hyoid retractor muscles (m. sternohyoideus superficialis et profundus) show similarly broad length-tension relationships to their supercontracting muscle. 3/6
April 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Chameleons rely on greater hyoid motion than other lizards & associated muscles may benefit from supercontractile properties. We show that 2 hyoid retractor muscles (m. sternohyoideus superficialis et profundus) show similarly broad length-tension relationships to their supercontracting muscle. 3/6
Chameleons project their tongues ≤2.5x their body length, with their tongue retractor muscle being the only known vertebrate example of supercontracting muscle, with perforated z-discs allowing the muscle to shorten & continue exerting force beyond lengths typical skeletal muscle is able to. 2/6
April 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Chameleons project their tongues ≤2.5x their body length, with their tongue retractor muscle being the only known vertebrate example of supercontracting muscle, with perforated z-discs allowing the muscle to shorten & continue exerting force beyond lengths typical skeletal muscle is able to. 2/6