Melanin granules melanophages and a fully-melanized epidermis are common traits of odontocete and mysticete cetaceans.
Blanca Morales-GuerreroCecilia Barragán-VargasGerman R Silva-RosalesChristian D Ortega-OrtizDiane GendronLaura M Martinez-LevasseurKarina Acevedo-WhitehousePublished in: Veterinary dermatology (2016)
The widespread presence of melanin and the unexpectedly high number of melanophages may constitute a unique photoprotective trait of cetaceans and could reflect primitive adaptations to their environment and to their obligate marine-bound life.
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