melanoforeja

Melanoforeja is a term that appears in some Spanish-language sources to denote a pigment cell associated with melanin. It is not widely used in contemporary scientific nomenclature. In most studies the corresponding cells are referred to as melanóforos (melanophores) or melanocitos (melanocytes), depending on the organism and context. When encountered, the term melanoforeja is typically evaluated against these more standard terms to determine which cell type is being described.

Melanophores are pigment-bearing cells found in the skin or dermal layers of many fishes, amphibians, and some invertebrates. They contain melanosomes, organelles that store melanin, and can disperse or aggregate these melanosomes in response to hormonal or neural signals. This rearrangement changes the color and pattern of the animal’s body, aiding camouflage, social signaling, or thermoregulation. Melanocytes, in contrast, are the pigment cells most commonly discussed in mammals; they reside in the epidermis and hair follicles and synthesize melanin, which is transferred to surrounding keratinocytes to determine skin and hair color.

Developmentally, melanophore lineage in vertebrates often originates from neural crest cells. Melanin production involves enzymes such as tyrosinase, and the amount and distribution of pigment influence the animal’s appearance and adaptive strategies.

See also: Melanophore, Melanocyte, Melanin, Chromatophore. Note that melanoforeja is not a standard term and its precise meaning should be inferred from context or clarified with authoritative sources.