Head Melanophores
The five examples, below, of 'head melanophores' show how some melanophores appear on heads of certain baby fish. It should be remembered that the complete absence of melanophores on heads indicates that the tissues in those parts of the head are completely transparent, when alive. Additional arrangements/maculae can be viewed on various other images in the "Illustration Gallery".
Figure 1) Melanophores on heads: A dorsal view of a 7.4-mm specimen of the logperch, Percina caprodes (Rafinesque), below, shows two punctate melanophores at the base of the head. Additional melanophores develop on the head as the logperch grows larger.
Figure 2) Melanophores on heads: A dorsal view of a 4.7-mm specimen of the silver hake, Merlucius bilinaeus (Mitchill), below, shows one large reticulate melanophore at the base of the head. Additional melanophores develop on the head as the silver hake grows larger.
Figure 3) Melanophores on heads: A dorsal view of a 7.4-mm specimen of the brook silverside, Labidesthes sicculus (Cope), below, shows a Y-shaped pattern of punctate melanophores over the head area, consisting of about 40 melanophores over the head area. Additional melanophores develop on the head as the brook silverside grows larger.
Figure 4) Melanophores on heads: A dorsal view of a 6.2-mm specimen of the slim sculpin, Radulinus asprellus Gilbert, below, shows an oblong or egg-shaped pattern of punctate to punctate-stellate melanophores over the head area, consisting of about 40 melanophores on the head area. Additional melanophores develop on the head as the slim sculpin grows larger.
Figure 5) Melanophores on heads: A dorsal view of a 4.5-mm specimen of the fourbeard rockling, Enchelyopus cimbrius (Linnaeus), below, shows a double pattern of melanophores on the head area, one circular pattern of reticulate melanophores between the eyes and an oval pattern between the pectoral fins.
