Ommochrome

Ommochrome

Ommochrome (or visual pigment) refers to several biological pigments that occur in the eyes of crustaceans and insects. The eye color is determined by the ommochromes. Ommochromes are also found in the chromatophores of cephalopods, and in spiders.[1]

Ommochromes are metabolites of tryptophan, via kynurenine and 3-hydroxykynurenine. They are responsible for a wide variety of colors, ranging from yellow over red and brown to black. Lighter colors tend to be generated by ommatins, while mixtures of ommatin and ommins are responsible for darker colors.[1]

In spiders, ommochromes are usually deposited as pigment granules within the cells of the hypodermis, immediately beneath the cuticle.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Oxford, G.S. & Gillespie, R.G. (1998). Evolution and Ecology of Spider Coloration. Annual Review of Entomology 43:619-643. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.43.1.619

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  • Ommochrome —   [zu griechisch ómma »Auge« und chrõma »Farbe«], Gruppe tierischer Farbstoffe, die in den Augen und der Haut von Krebsen und Insekten vorkommen. Ommochrome können gelb, orange, braun oder schwarz sein und liegen in den Geweben gewöhnlich an… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • ommochrome — n. [Gr. omma, eye; chroma, color] A group of pigments, products of tryptophane metabolism, found in eyes and epidermis of certain invertebrates; it is apparently not involved in the visual process …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • ommochrome — ▪ biological pigment       any of a group of biological pigments (biochromes) conspicuous in the eyes of insects and crustaceans as well as in the changeable chromatophores (pigment containing cells) in the skin of cephalopods. Although… …   Universalium

  • Ommochrome — Om|mo|chro|me die (Plur.) <zu gr. chrõma »Farbe«> tierische Farbstoffe, die in den Augen u. in der Haut von Krebsen u. Insekten vorkommen …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • ommochrome — om·mo·chrome …   English syllables

  • ommochrome — ˈäməˌkrōm noun Etymology: ommo (from Greek omma eye) + chrome : any of various pigments derived from tryptophan and found especially in the eyes of insects …   Useful english dictionary

  • Spider — Taxobox name = Spiders image width = 250px image caption = an Orb weaver spider, Family: Araneidae regnum = Animalia phylum = Arthropoda subphylum = Chelicerata classis = Arachnida ordo = Araneae ordo authority = Clerck, 1757 diversity link =… …   Wikipedia

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