chromatophore
/kroʊˈmætəˌfɔr/
noun
- A cell or structure in an animal (such as a fish, squid, or chameleon) that contains pigment and can expand or contract to change the animal's color.
- Chameleons have chromatophores that allow them to change color for camouflage.
- The octopus used its chromatophores to blend in with the coral reef.
- The squid's chromatophores pulsed with color as it swam through the water.