Polarised light micrograph of the skin of the sole (Solea solea). Specialised cells called chromatophores are located in the sole's skin below the sca

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Polarised light micrograph of the skin of the sole (Solea solea). Specialised cells called chromatophores are located in the sole's skin below the scales. They contain black, red, yellow, blue and white pigment granules called chromatophores. 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. Apart from the melanophores, the colours shown here are produced by polarised light and do not represent the colours of the chromatophores. Magnification: x27 at 10cm wide.

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Size: 3970px × 2660px
Photo credit: © STEVE LOWRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, animal, biological, biology, chromatophores, fauna, fish, light, melanophores, micrograph, microscope, microscopic, microscopy, nature, pisces, polarised, polarized, scales, skin, sole, solea, wildlife, zoology