Definition: The large pigment cells of fish, amphibia, reptiles and many invertebrates which actively disperse and aggregate their pigment granules. These cells include MELANOPHORES, erythrophores, xanthophores, leucophores and iridiophores. (In algae, chromatophores refer to CHLOROPLASTS. In phototrophic bacteria chromatophores refer to membranous organelles (BACTERIAL CHROMATOPHORES).)
do not confuse with chromophores (chemical groups imparting color to a cpd); BACTERIAL CHROMATOPHORES is available
See AlsoPigmentation ExamplesMelanophores
