Chromatophore

Chromatophores or pigment cell are color changing cells used most notably by Cephalopods such as squid and octopuses. They are contractile and contain vesicles with stored liquid pigment. To change their color the cells distort their form or size stretching or contracting their outer covering thus changing its translucency or opaquacy. These cells are highly developed and numerous in the cephalopods.

External link

• Tree of Life Web Project: Cephalopod Chromatophore (http://tolweb.org/tree/eukaryotes/animals/mollusca/cephalopoda/glossary/glossaryLichen/chromatophoreLichen/Chromatophore)