Pigmentation is a biological process by which cells synthesize, package, and distribute pigments that confer color to tissues, organs, or whole organisms, typically via specialized cells such as melanocytes, chromatophores, or pigment-containing plastids. It involves regulated pathways of pigment biosynthesis (e.g., melanin, carotenoids, ommochromes), intracellular transport and sequestration within organelles, and spatial-temporal control of pigment cell differentiation and activity. Pigmentation contributes to photoprotection, camouflage, signaling, and physiological regulation, and is modulated by genetic programs, developmental cues, endocrine factors, and environmental variables such as light exposure, temperature, and nutrient availability.
A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has uncovered how a common color variation in frogs has helped them thrive and diversify for millions of years.
Evolution
Sep 16, 2025
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26
When it comes to color, mammals are hardly the most vibrant creatures of the animal kingdom. Their fur often comes in drab shades of brown, gray or black, unlike some birds, insects or fish that can dazzle with brilliant, ...
Albino cane toads created using gene-editing technology reveal that albino animals face competitive disadvantages going far beyond their vulnerability to predators, according to new research published in Proceedings of the ...
Evolution
Aug 27, 2025
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37
Pygmy seahorses are remarkable creatures. These tiny marine vertebrates, often no bigger than two centimeters in size, are masters of camouflage, able to match the texture and color of the coral in which they live. Some species ...
Birds are some of the most striking creatures on Earth, coming in a rainbow of colors that serve several important functions, such as attracting a mate and communicating with other birds. These vibrant hues are produced by ...
Flowers, specialized plant structures consisting of colorful petals and green sepals, play a key role in plant propagation. In addition to their ornamental value, flowers have gained emotional and cultural significance over ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 18, 2025
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32
Dan Burton has trapped hundreds of wild pigs for clients of his wildlife control company in Salinas, but even he was startled when he cut one of them open and found blue meat inside.
Plants & Animals
Aug 6, 2025
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3064
Birds are perhaps the most colorful group of animals, bringing a splash of color to the natural world around us every day. Indeed, exclusively black and white birds—such as magpies—are in the minority.
Plants & Animals
Jul 26, 2025
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58
New research into the anatomy of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) reveals a unique nanostructure in their skin that produces their iconic blue coloration, but intriguingly, also suggests a potential capacity for color change.
Bio & Medicine
Jul 9, 2025
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67
By examining squid skin cells three-dimensionally, a University of California, Irvine–led team has unveiled the structures responsible for the creatures' ability to dynamically change their appearance from transparent to ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 27, 2025
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37
