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Journal of Experimental Biology 168,289-299 (1992)
Published by Company of Biologists 1992

‘Facilitation’ of Melanophore Responses in Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes Americanus

D. BURTON ¹ and M. P. O'DRISCOLL ¹

¹ Department of Biology and Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's Newfoundland, Canada A1C 5S7

Melanophores of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) subjected to repeated transfers between black and white backgrounds display pronounced enhancement of the rates of melanosome aggregation and dispersion. Melanosome aggregation in response to repeated injection of noradrenaline displays a similar enhancement. In vitro preparations of microscopic skin samples on scales removed during successive cycles of background changes also display increasing melanophore response rates to K⁺ stimulation. It is concluded that a physiological ‘priming’ mechanism is involved peripherally at the melanophore level and it is proposed that this represents a form of facilitation. Also, it is deduced from these experiments that a modulation of the microtubular channels associated with melanosome translocation is probably the basis of the facilitation process.

Key words: melanophores, response enhancement, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, flounder

Accepted on March 2, 1992