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Chromatophore

定義

A pigment-containing cell in the skin of fish responsible for color changes. Fish adjust chromatophores for camouflage, communication, and temperature regulation.

詳細説明

Fish have multiple chromatophore types: melanophores (brown/black melanin), xanthophores (yellow carotenoids), erythrophores (red/orange), and iridophores (reflecting platelets producing structural color and iridescence). Rapid color changes are achieved by concentrating or dispersing pigment granules within each cell under nervous and hormonal control — a process taking seconds. Slow, hormone-mediated changes (breeding coloration) take days. Iridophores contain guanine crystals that produce brilliant silver reflectance in pelagic fish, providing countershading camouflage in open water.

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