melanophore

noun

me·la·no·phore | \ mə-ˈla-nə-ˌfȯr

, ˈme-lə-nə-\

Definition of melanophore

: a melanin-containing cell especially of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles

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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, "Flounders’ Eyes Face Skyward. How Do They See the Ocean Floor?," 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, "5 Animals That You Can See Right Through," 25 Mar. 2017

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More Definitions for melanophore

melanophore

noun

me·la·no·phore | \ mə-ˈlan-ə-ˌfō(ə)r

, ˈmel-ə-nə-

, -ˌfȯ(ə)r\

: a chromatophore especially of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles that contains melanin : a black or brown pigment cell