Evolutionary purpose of eye color

[Aught3]

Yea melatonin occurred to me when I was writing the post but the only thing I'd heard it was involved with is the sleep/wake cycle.

I've never heard of neuromelanin before, are you saying it's another name for melatonin? I couldn't really tell from your post.

 

[ebbixx]

I've never heard of neuromelanin before, are you saying it's another name for melatonin? I couldn't really tell from your post.

No, neuromelanin is a distinct form of melanin present in a handful of brain structures in humans and some other animals. The Wiki article touches on it, as well as the (possible) implication of a connection between low levels of neuromelanin and Parkinson's disease.

The main form of melanin in human skin pigmentation (and the one primarily affected in albinism) is eumelanin. There's also pheomelanin, a redder form associated mainly with red hair and freckles.

 

[Aught3]

Cool, I learned something today then.