Cell-cell communication as underlying principle governing color pattern formation in fishes

The diverse pigmentation patterns of animals are crucial for predation avoidance and behavioral display, yet mechanisms underlying this diversity remain poorly understood. In zebrafish, Turing models have been proposed to explain stripe patterns, but it is unclear if they apply to other fishes. In anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris), we identified gja5b, a gene orthologous to zebrafish leopard and encoding a connexin involved in pigment cell communication, as responsible for the Snowflake phenotype. Using CRISPR/Cas9 and transgenesis, we recapitulate the Snowflake phenotype and show expression of gja5b in iridophores. A matching allele was recovered in zebrafish, revealing complementary requirements in both species. Our findings highlight conserved roles of gap junction mediated communication in pigment patterning across divergent teleosts.