title: Fish Chromatophores--From Molecular Motors to Animal Behavior.
abstract: Chromatophores are pigment-bearing cells of lower vertebrates, including fish that cater for the ability of individual animals to shift body coloration and pattern. Color change provides dynamic camouflage and various kinds of communication. It is also a spectacular example of phenotypic plasticity, and of significant importance for adaptation and survival in novel environments. Through different cellular mechanisms, color change can occur within minutes or more slowly over weeks. Chromatophores have different pigment types and are located not only in the skin, but also in the eyes and internally. While morphological color change, including seasonal color change, has received a lot of interest from evolutionary biologists and behavioral ecologists, the more rapid physiological color change has been largely a research subject for cell physiologists. In this cross-disciplinary review, we have highlighted emerging trends in pigment cell research and identified unsolved problems for future research.
authors.affiliation: Sven Loven Centre for Marine Sciences-Kristineberg, University of Gothenburg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helen Nilsson
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Sköld
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aspengren
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cheney
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallin
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002856:Chromatophores / Q000737:chemistry*; D003116:Color; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D010858:Pigmentation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins
keywords: erythrophore; fish body coloration; fish color change; iridophore; melanophore; phenotypic plasticity; pigments; xanthophore