cephalopod fact of the day #14: unlike many other species which control external colour, the cephalopods colour changing cells are often controlled by their nervous system, allowing alterations to appearance with spectacular speed. biologically, this is achieved through teamwork between many different types of cell: cells called chromatophores change size quickly and hold pigments (producing black, red, orange, brown or yellow colours). iridophores are cells which work more slowly and reflect light (displaying metallic blue, green, gold and silvery colours). leucophores reflect the dominant colour of the environment (aiding concealment). many species also feature bioluminescent photophores! for these colour changing adaptations, cephalopods are often called the chameleons of the sea, although they predate chameleons by several hundred million years, making chameleons the cephalopods of the land. I encourage everyone reading this to refer to chameleons as such from this point on.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 05:38:35 +0000
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