Chameleons first used colour change to make them more noticeable rather than, as is popularly believed, to blend in, a study suggests.
The reptiles change colour for a variety of purposes - communication, camouflage and temperature control.
However, the reason why they first evolved this ability to flash bright colours was previously unclear.
Scientists report in the journal Plos Biology that it was to allow them to signal to other chameleons.
Co-author Dr Devi Stuart-Fox, from The University of Melbourne, Australia, told BBC News: "[Our research] suggests that chameleons evolved colour change for signalling, to fend off rivals or attract a mate, and not so they could match a greater variety of backgrounds."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7215005.stm
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