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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Zinc Regulation Through ZnT1 Functionality
Published on: June 2, 2023
Muscle melanisation in sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) and links to elevated zinc levels
Chun Kit Ooi1, Michael Ware2, Trevor Lewis1
1School of Natural Sciences (Chemistry), University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1370, Launceston, 7250, Tasmania, Australia.
Abstract:
Melanisation of muscle, observed as black pigmentation of the normally white flesh, has been reported in sand flathead from Tasmania and investigated in this study. There was a significant difference in the presence of melanised muscle in sand flathead from two sites within the Tamar Estuary (northern Tasmania), with higher proportion of sand flathead from Deceitful Cove with this condition. Presence of melanisation was not related to length or weight of the fish. No parasitic infections were detected in the muscles of the affected sand flathead. However, concentration of zinc in melanised regions of muscle in the affected fish was significantly higher, about 1.7 to 1.8 times, than non-melanised regions of muscle in the same fish. Furthermore, the concentration of zinc in melanised regions of affected fish was on average about 2.0 times higher when compared to muscle of unaffected fish that had no melanised spots.
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