Melanin is a pigment that has a distinct atomic structure. There are two types: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is found in black, dark brown, grey and blonde integuments, while pheomelanin is found in red integuments. Melanosomes are the organelles that contain melanin and there is a correlation between the shape of the melanosome and the type of melanin inside. (Melanin structure images : Roland Mattern – Roland1952. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons).
Palaeocast Episode 52 is on melanin in fossils. Specifically, the chemical and structural preservation of melanin in a fossil mammal. Caitlin Colleary, a graduate student at the University of Bristol, talks about her paper, which is based on her Masters research.
