Chromatophore, light micrograph. A chromatophore of the skin of the melanophore class located in the dermis below the superficial epidermis seen at the top. Thousands of pigment granules of melanin are in the cell body. Pigments are reversibly dispersed into the cytoplasmic extensions in response to hormonal/neurotransmitter stimulations. An irregular shaped nucleus is in the cell body. These cells are very large, the cell body 50-70 micrometres and the extensions up to 100 micrometres. Melanophores are found in the skin of animals that use colour for camouflage (reptiles, fish, amphibians, cephalopods) and absorb light giving brown/black colouration. Surrounding the cell are many layers of plaques of iridophore cells with tiny bluish-green refractile crystalloids that give blue colourations to the skin. Epoxy resin section. Toluidine blue stain. Magnification: x800 when printed at 10cm.