The colorful and changeable skin of cephalopods is an elegant arrangement of pigments and reflectors. We are interested in their gross and fine morphology, their control and their optical output. A wide variety of techniques is used to accomplish this research: light, electron and confocal microscopy; macrophotography and videography; underwater photography; electrophysiology, neuronal staining and tracing; and spectrometry (in the lab and the field). We collaborate with modelers, materials scientists and engineers to determine how cephalopods may inspire the development of novel materials.
Publications on skin ultrastructure and neurobiology:
Izumi, M., Sweeney, A.M., DeMartini, D., Weaver, J. C., Powers, M.L., Tao, A., Silvas, T.V., Kramer, R.M., Crookes-Goodson, W.J., Mäthger, L.M., Naik, R.R., Hanlon, R.T., & Morse, D.E., 2010. Changes in reflectin protein phosphorylation are associated with dynamic iridescence in squid. J. Royal Society Interface 7: 549-560. (PDF)
Mäthger, L.M., Denton, E.J., Marshall, J., & Hanlon, R.T. 2009. Mechanisms and behavioral functions of structural coloration in cephalopods. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 6: S149-S164. (PDF)
Mäthger, L.M., Shashar, N., & Hanlon, R.T. 2009. Do cephalopods communicate using polarized light reflections from their skin? Journal of Experimental Biology 212: 2133-2140. (Featured Commentary) (PDF)
Allen, J.J., Mäthger, L.M., Barbosa, A., & Hanlon, R.T. 2009. Cuttlefish use visual cues to control 3-dimensional skin papillae for camouflage. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 195: 547-555.(PDF)
Miserez, A., Weaver, J.C., Pedersen, P.B., Schneeberk, T., Hanlon, R.T., Kisailus, D., & Birkedal, H. 2008. Microstructural and biochemical characterization of the nano-porous sucker rings from Dosidicus gigas. Advanced Materials 20: 1-6.
Mäthger, L.M., Denton, E.J., Marshall, J., & Hanlon, R.T. 2008. Mechanisms and behavioral functions of structural coloration in cephalopods. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 6: S149-S164.(PDF)
Sutherland, R.L., Mäthger, L.M., Hanlon, R.T., Urbas, A.M., & Stone, M.O. 2008. Cephalopod coloration model. I. Squid chromatophores and iridophores. Journal of the Optical Society of America, 25 (3): 588-599. (PDF)
Sutherland, R.L., Mäthger, L M., Hanlon, R.T., Urbas, A.M., & Stone, M.O. 2008. Cephalopod coloration model. II. Multiple layer skin effects. Journal of the Optical Society of America, 25 (8): 2044-2054. (PDF)
Chiou, T.H., Hanlon, R.T., Mäthger, L.M., & Cronin, T.W. 2007. Spectral and spatial properties of the polarized light reflections on the arms of squid (Loligo pealeii) and cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis L.). Journal of Experimental Biology. 210: 3624-3635.
Mäthger, L.M., & Hanlon, R.T. 2007. Malleable skin coloration in cephalopods: selective reflectance, transmission and absorbance of light by chromatophores and iridophores. Cell and Tissue Research 329: 179-186. (PDF)
Mäthger, L.M., Barbosa, A., Miner, S., & Hanlon, R.T. 2006. Color blindness and contrast perception in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). Vision Research 46: 1746-1753. (PDF)
Shashar, N., Borst, D.T., Ament, S.A., Saidel, W.M., Smolowitz, R.M., & Hanlon, R.T. 2001. Polarization reflecting iridophores in the arms of the squid Loligo pealeii. Biol. Bull. 201:267-268. (PDF)
Hanlon, R.T., Cooper, K.M., Budelmann, B.U., & Pappas, T.C. 1990. Physiological color change in squid iridophores I. Behavior, morphology and pharmacology in Lolliguncula brevis. Cell Tissue Res. 259(1): 3-14.
Cooper, K.M., Hanlon, R.T., & Budelmann, B.U. 1990. Physiological color change in squid iridophores II. Ultrastructural mechanisms in Lolliguncula brevis. Cell Tissue Res. 259(1): 15-24.
Novicki, A., Budelmann, B.U., & Hanlon, R.T. 1990. Brain pathways of the chromatophore system in the squid Lolliguncula brevis. Brain Res. 519(1- 2): 315-323.
Cooper, K.M., & Hanlon, R.T. 1986. Correlation of iridescence with changes in iridophore platelet ultrastructure in the squid Lolliguncula brevis. J. exp. Biol. 121: 451-455.
Dubas, F., Hanlon, R.T., Ferguson, G.P., & Pinsker, H.M. 1986. Localization and stimulation of chromatophore motoneurones in the brain of the squid, Lolliguncula brevis. J. exp. Biol. 121: 1-25.
Dubas, F., Leonard, R.B., & Hanlon, R.T. 1986. Chromatophore motoneurons in the brain of the squid, Lolliguncula brevis: An HRP study. Brain Res. 374(1): 21-29.
Florey, E., Dubas, F., & Hanlon, R.T. 1985. Evidence for L-glutamate as a transmitter substance of motoneurons innervating squid chromatophore muscles. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C. 82(2): 259-268.
Hanlon, R.T. 1982. The functional organization of chromatophores and iridescent cells in the body patterning of Loligo plei (Cephalopoda: Myopsida). Malacologia 23(1): 89-119.
