A pigment-bearing structure that is derived from the cytoplasmic membrane, sometimes consisting of simple invaginations and sometimes a complete vesicle. This component is found in certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria. [ GOC:jl http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11867431 https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0395825172 ]
Term information
Note that this structure is distinct from the chromoplast of plants, which is also sometimes called a chromatophore; it also should not be confused with the specialized pigment-producing cells known as chromatophores, found in fish and amphibian skin.