Melanin in arthropods has been observed to be deposited in layers thus producing a Bragg reflector of alternating refractive index. When the scale of this pattern matches the wavelength of visible light, structural coloration arises: giving a number of species an iridescent color.
Melanin in arthropods has been observed to be deposited in layers thus producing a Bragg reflector of alternating refractive index When the scale of this pattern matches the wavelength of visible light, structural coloration arises giving a number of species an iridescent color