The dynamic behavior of chromatophores marks the transition from bands to spots in leopard geckos.

ABSTRACT: Reptilian skin coloration is spectacular and diverse, yet little is known about the ontogenetic processes that govern its establishment and the molecular signaling pathways that determine it. Here, we focus on the development of the banded pattern of leopard gecko hatchlings and the transition to black spots in the adult. With our histological analyses, we show that iridophores are present in the white and yellow bands of the hatchling and they gradually perish in the adult skin. Furthermore, we demonstrate that melanophores can autonomously form spots in the absence of the other chromatophores both on the regenerated skin of the tail and on the dorsal skin of the Mack Super Snow (MSS) leopard geckos. This color morph is characterized by uniform black coloration in hatchlings and black spo

SUBMITTER: Ullate-Agote A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11260152 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature