Longevity in Calumma parsonii, the world's largest chameleon.

Longevity in Calumma parsonii, the world's largest chameleon.
Exp Gerontol. 2017 Jan 08;:
Authors: Tessa G, Glaw F, Andreone F
Abstract
Large body size of ectothermic species can be correlated with high life expectancy. We assessed the longevity of the world's largest chameleon, the Parson's chameleon Calumma parsonii from Madagascar by using skeletochronology of phalanges taken from preserved specimens held in European natural history museums. Due to the high bone resorption we can provide only the minimum age of each specimen. The highest minimum age detected was nine years for a male and eight years for a female, confirming that this species is exceptionally long living among chameleons. Our data also show a strong correlation between snout-vent length and estimated age.
PMID: 28077326 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Experimental Gerontology - January 7, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tessa G, Glaw F, Andreone F Tags: Exp Gerontol Source Type: research