Melanins are widespread pigments in vertebrates, with important roles in visual signaling, UV protection, and homeostasis. Fossil evidence of melanin and melanin-bearing organelles – melanosomes – in ancient vertebrates may illuminate the evolution of melanin and its functions, but macroevolutionary trends are poorly resolved. Here, we integrate fossil data with current understanding of melanin function, biochemistry, and genetics. Mapping key genes onto phenotypic attributes of fossil vertebrates identifies potential genomic controls on melanin evolution. Taxonomic trends in the anatomical location, geometry, and chemistry of vertebrate melanosomes are linked to the evolution of endothermy. These shifts in melanin biology suggest fundamental links between melanization and vertebrate ecology. Tissue-specific and taxonomic trends in melanin chemistry support evidence for evolutionary tradeoffs between function and cytotoxicity.

黑色素是脊椎动物中广泛存在的色素，在视觉信号，紫外线防护和体内平衡中起重要作用。在古代脊椎动物中，黑色素和带有黑色素的细胞器（黑​​色素体）的化石证据可能阐明了黑色素的进化及其功能，但宏观进化趋势却难以解决。在这里，我们将化石数据与当前对黑色素功能，生物化学和遗传学的了解相结合。将关键基因定位到化石脊椎动物的表型属性上可确定对黑色素进化的潜在基因组控制。脊椎动物黑素体在解剖学位置，几何形状和化学上的分类学趋势与吸热的发展有关。黑色素生物学的这些变化暗示了黑色素化和脊椎动物生态学之间的基本联系。