melanophore
noun
me·la·no·phore mə-ˈla-nə-ˌfȯr 
ˈme-lə-nə-
plural melanophores
: a melanin-containing chromatophore cell especially of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles that is similar to a mammalian melanocyte
Fishes rely on melanins. These compounds, ranging in color from brown to black, are produced in tiny granules called melanosomes; these granules move around within large branching cells called melanophores.
Joe Levine
Joe Levine
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This organ contains color-changing cells such as melanophores, which either expand or contract according to the background the fish is trying to match, Burgess says. National Geographic, 13 Aug. 2016 In this period, glass eels lack color-producing cells such as chromatophores and melanophores, says George Burgess, an ichthyologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 Mar. 2017
National Geographic, 13 Aug. 2016 In this period, glass eels lack color-producing cells such as chromatophores and melanophores, says George Burgess, an ichthyologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 Mar. 2017 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from German Melanophor, from melano- melano- + -phor -phore
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
melanophore
noun
me·la·no·phore mə-ˈlan-ə-ˌfō(ə)r ˈmel-ə-nə-
ˈmel-ə-nə- -ˌfȯ(ə)r
: a melanin-containing chromatophore especially of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles that is similar to a mammalian melanocyte