Cephalopod_chromatophores Chromatophore

an infant cuttlefish, using background adaptation mimic local environment

coleoid cephalopods (including octopuses, squids , cuttlefish) have complex multicellular organs use change colour rapidly, producing wide variety of bright colours , patterns. each chromatophore unit composed of single chromatophore cell , numerous muscle, nerve, glial, , sheath cells. inside chromatophore cell, pigment granules enclosed in elastic sac, called cytoelastic sacculus. change colour animal distorts sacculus form or size muscular contraction, changing translucency, reflectivity, or opacity. differs mechanism used in fish, amphibians, , reptiles in shape of sacculus changed, rather translocating pigment vesicles within cell. however, similar effect achieved.

octopuses , cuttlefish can operate chromatophores in complex, undulating chromatic displays, resulting in variety of rapidly changing colour schemata. nerves operate chromatophores thought positioned in brain in pattern isomorphic of chromatophores each control. means pattern of colour change functionally matches pattern of neuronal activation. may explain why, neurons activated in iterative signal cascade, may observe waves of colour changing. chameleons, cephalopods use physiological colour change social interaction. among skilled @ camouflage, having ability match both colour distribution , texture of local environment remarkable accuracy.