Skin of the Dover sole (Solea solea), showing ctenoid scales and chromatophores. Ctenoid scales are made of keratin and have rows of tiny teeth called

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Skin of the Dover sole (Solea solea), showing ctenoid scales and chromatophores. Ctenoid scales are made of keratin and have rows of tiny teeth called cteni on their posterior margin. These scales are located on the eyed side of the fish. Specialised cells called chromatophores are located in the sole's skin below the scales. They contain black, red, yellow, blue and white pigment granules. Only one colour is found in each chromatophore, those containing black pigment are called melanophores. Alteration of the distribution of chromatophores creates colour changes which are important in both camouflage and in social behaviour.

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Size: 3867px × 2625px
Photo credit: © STEVE LOWRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, biological, biology, camouflage, chromatophore, color, colour, ctenoid, dover, fauna, fish, light, lm, melanophore, micrograph, microscope, microscopic, microscopy, nature, scales, skin, sole, solea, zoological, zoology