<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><!DOCTYPE Zthes SYSTEM "http://zthes.z3950.org/xml/zthes-05.dtd">  <Zthes><term><termId>31316546</termId><termName>melanin</termName><termType>PT</termType><termNote><![CDATA[ Dark biological pigment (biochrome) that produces buff, red-brown, brown, and black colors. Melanin occur widely in the feathers of birds; in hair, eyes, and skin of mammals, including humans; in skin or scales of many fishes, amphibians, and reptiles; in the ink of cephalopods (octopus, squid); and in various tissues of many invertebrates. Melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, and an increase in melanin is responsible for the so-called tanning of human skin exposed to sunlight. It is used as a colorant, particularly as it occurs in cuttlefish ink. Dark biological pigment (biochrome) that produces buff, red-brown, brown, and black colors. Melanin occur widely in the feathers of birds; in hair, eyes, and skin of mammals, including humans; in skin or scales of many fishes, amphibians, and reptiles; in the ink of cephalopods (octopus, squid); and in various tissues of many invertebrates. Melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, and an increase in melanin is responsible for the so-called tanning of human skin exposed to sunlight. It is used as a colorant, particularly as it occurs in cuttlefish ink. ]]></termNote><termCreatedDate>2026-03-30 20:25:14</termCreatedDate><relation><relationType>BT</relationType><termId>31303850</termId><termName>plant pigment</termName><termType>PT</termType></relation></term>  </Zthes>