The phylum M ollusca is highly speciose, and is the largest phylum in the marine realm. The
great majority of molluscs are shelled, including nearly all bivalves, most gastropods and …

Recent technical innovations are revealing surprising patterns in mollusc shell pigmentation,
such as an unexpectedly modest role for melanins and rapid divergences in the mix of …

Colour and pattern are key traits with important roles in camouflage, warning and attraction.
Ideally, in order to begin to understand the evolution and ecology of colour in nature, it is …

Mollusc shell color polymorphism is influenced by various factors. Pigments secreted in vivo
by animals play a critical role in shell coloration. Among the different shell-color hues …

Background The geometric patterns that adorn the shells of many phylogenetically disparate
molluscan species are comprised of pigments that span the visible spectrum. Although early …

The colour of oyster shells is a very diverse characteristic morphotype, forming intriguing
vivid patterns both on the inside and outside of the shell. In the present study, we have …

To date, only two pigments have been identified in avian eggshells: rusty-brown
protoporphyrin IX and blue-green biliverdin IXα. Most avian eggshell colours can be …

Molluscs constitute the second largest phylum of animals in the world, and shell colour is
one of their most important phenotypic characteristics. In this study, we found among three …

Background Mollusca, a phylum of highly rich species, possess vivid shell colours, but the
underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. DNA methylation, one of the …

The visually appealing shell colours and intricate patterns of shellfish not only attract
consumers but also enhance their economic value. Understanding the inheritance pattern of …