chromatofory

Chromatophores are pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells found in the skin of a range of animals, most notably cephalopods, amphibians, fish, and some reptiles. They reside in the epidermis or dermis and contribute to rapid color and pattern changes used for camouflage, communication, and signaling. Chromatophores come in several functional classes. Melanophores contain dark pigment (melanin) and produce blacks and browns; erythrophores carry red pigments; xanthophores house yellow to orange pigments. In addition, iridophores reflect light to create iridescence, while leucophores reflect white highlights. In cephalopods, chromatophore systems are highly developed and combined with iridophores and leucophores to produce a broad range of hues and textures.

Control of chromatophores is primarily neural in cephalopods; radial muscles expand or retract pigment vesicles within the cell, increasing or decreasing visible pigment. The nervous system can drive rapid color changes within milliseconds to seconds, while hormonal inputs may modulate longer-term background tones. The arrangement of chromatophore layers and reflective cells underlies complex skin patterns, including spots, bars, and disruptive textures.

Across other vertebrates, chromatophore-like cells also contribute to skin coloration, but changes are often slower and governed by different neural or hormonal pathways. Chromatophores play a key adaptive role in camouflage, signaling to conspecifics, prey attraction, and predator avoidance. Research continues on their development, pigment production, and ecological significance.