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Where are melanins found in animals?
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coloration
The anole changes color in response to its stress level.
Melanins are widely distributed biological pigments found in a variety of tissues across the animal kingdom. Their primary locations include:
- Vertebrates: Melanins are found in the hair, skin, and eyes of mammals, including humans. They are also present in the feathers of birds and the skin or scales of many fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. Additionally, they occur in some internal membranes, such as the peritoneum of frogs.12
- Invertebrates: These pigments are found in the ink of cephalopods, such as octopuses and squids, and in various tissues of many other invertebrates, including certain worms, crustaceans, and mollusks.1
Melanins are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine and serve critical roles, such as protecting underlying tissues from ultraviolet radiation, aiding in thermoregulation, and providing camouflage.12