THE COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF COLOUR RESPONSE IN REPTILES AND FISHES

Abstract

Summary. 1. There is evidence that in both reptiles and teleost fishes the melanophores react to light in two ways: ( a ) Expansion in response to illumination of the body surface or some part of it. ( b ) Adaptation to shade of background. 2. Both processes must be considered in the formulation of a theory of coordination of pigmentary response. 3. Such a theory is discussed, and is shown to be applicable to the minnow and the chameleon. 4. The lipophores are concerned in adaptation of fishes to the colour of the background. 5. Recent work shows that they are controlled by endocrine agencies, which may also influence the melanophores to some extent.