Interaction and developmental activation of two neuroendocrine systems that regulate light‐mediated skin pigmentation

Summary Lower vertebrates use rapid light‐regulated changes in skin colour for camouflage (background adaptation) or during circadian variation in irradiance levels. Two neuroendocrine systems, the eye/alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐ MSH ) and the pineal complex/melatonin circuits, regulate the process through their respective dispersion and aggregation of pigment granules (melanosomes) in skin melanophores. During development, Xenopus...