Body Coloration Characterization and Proteomic Analysis of Diurnal Color Variation in Farmed Larimichthys crocea

The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an economically significant aquaculture species in Asia, with skin coloration being a key quality attribute affecting consumer choice and commercial value. This study integrated morphological, biochemical, and proteomic approaches to investigate chromatophore characteristics, pigment composition, and diurnal body color variation in the large yellow croaker. Colorimetric analysis showed the highest yellowness, redness, and lightness values in ventral skin, followed by caudal skin, with dorsal skin showing the least yellowness. Three major chromatophores were identified: melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores. Xanthophores were abundant in ventral and caudal skin, showing larger size and deeper pigmentation ventrally, while melanophores dominated dorsally and iridophores were mainly on scales. Skin and fins were key sites for carotenoid deposition, with lutein as the predominant carotenoid. Esters of lutein and zeaxanthin were the main contributors to yellow coloration in fish. A strong positive correlation was found between skin yellowness and total carotenoid content (R = 0.91, p < 0.05). The aggregation and dispersion of xanthosomes within xanthophores appeared to be the key driver behind the light-influenced diurnal body color variation. Proteomic analysis revealed motor proteins (such as KIF21, DYNC1L1, and MYO9) and pathways related to intracellular granule movement were probably related to the pigment transport in chromatophores of large yellow croaker. In addition, tubulin dynamics also appeared to participate in pigment translocation. This study is helpful to understand the pigmentary basis of this important farmed sea fish and provides a foundation for improving the golden color traits and further molecular research on diurnal color changes in large yellow croaker.