What you see here is a microscopic view of a squid’s surface, showing the action of its chromatophores.
Chromatophores are pigment-rich, light-reflecting cells
found in amphibians, fish, reptiles and cephalopods, such as squid. The
cells dictate eye and skin color and, in some species, allow the bearer
to adopt a color-changing camouflage when stimulated by heat, stress
and other factors — a process known as metachrosis. The camouflage is
also used in communication.
Squid rapidly change color when the muscles surrounding a
chromatophore-filled sac contracts and expands — when it contracts, the
pigment appears denser, when it expands the color becomes muted and
disappears. The squid changes its color according to exterior factors —
such as a threat or the presence of a potential mate – because each
chromatophore is linked to a nerve ending.
Marine biologist Michael Bok took advantage of a squid with skin
cells still active despite being shipped on ice, to make this video. More
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