Melanin is a widespread multifunctional biological pigment that has emerged as a promising
platform for applications in coating, catalysis, energy, drug delivery, and medical therapy …

Animal integumentary coloration plays a crucial role in visual communication and
camouflage, and varies extensively among and within species and populations. To …

Colour produced by wavelength-dependent light scattering is a key component of visual
communication in nature and acts particularly strongly in visual signalling by structurally …

Engineered systems are typically based on a large variety of materials differing in
composition and processing to provide the desired functionality. Nature, however, has …

Eumelanin is one of the most ubiquitous pigments in living organisms and plays an
important role in coloration and UV protection. Because eumelanin is highly cross-linked …

Male peacock spiders (Maratus, Salticidae) compete to attract female mates using elaborate,
sexually selected displays. They evolved both brilliant colour and velvety black. Here, we …

Chitin, as a fundamental polysaccharide in invertebrate skeletons, continues to be actively
investigated, especially with respect to new sources and the development of effective …

Many animals use visual traits as a predator defence. Understanding these visual traits from
the perspective of predators is critical in generating new insights about predator–prey …

Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature and have diverse origins,
chemical compositions, and functions. Their chemical, electrical, optical, and paramagnetic …

The mysterious world of biofluorescence in terrestrial ecosystems is mesmerizing. Though
not as ubiquitous as in the ocean, it is not a rare phenomenon on land. Fluorescence occurs …