Albinism: Classification, Clinical Characteristics, and Recent Findings

Summers, C. Gail

doi:10.1097/opx.0b013e3181a5254c

Cited by 176 publications

(146 citation statements)

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“…It is unclear whether the adult female was completely or partially leucistic, but Summers (2009) dismisses the distinction between "partial" and "total" hypo-pigmentation as obsolete. Although some authors are still divided on the use of this terminology (references within Summers 2009), the female in question definitely displayed a form of hypo-pigmentation and for consistency's sake we will refer to her as leucistic.…”

Section: Oosthuizenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First confirmed record of a leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc Islands

et al. 2014

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Abstract:A leucistic Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) pup was born on subantarctic Marion Island during the austral summer of 2010/2011. This is the first confirmed record of a leucistic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc islands. Additionally, we report on a leucistic adult female Antarctic fur seal producing typical black pups for five non-consecutive summers on Marion Island. The birth of a leucistic pup, together with the multiple black pups produced by the leucistic female, suggests that the recessive genes responsible for leucism are now entrenched within the Marion Island population.

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Section: Oosthuizenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whilst the exact genes responsible for leucism have not been identified (Fertl & Rosel 2002;Summers 2009;Abreu et al 2013), the mutation is known to be recessive (Hoekstra 2006). The relative genetic (Boyd 1993, Hofmeyr et al 2005b.…”

Section: Oosthuizenmentioning

confidence: 99%

First confirmed record of a leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc Islands

et al. 2014

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“…However, anomalous colour can occur occasionally due to an excess or deficit in the production of melanin in some regions of or throughout the entire body (Acevedo and Aguayo, 2008). According to Summers (2009), the terms "partial" and "total" for the two different levels of albinism (hypopigmentation) have become obsolete. Current zoological studies (Fertl and Rosel, 2002;Miller, 2005;Acevedo and Aguayo, 2008) have classified anomalous colouration as piebaldism, leucism (or partial albinism), albinism and melanism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Acevedo and Aguayo, 2008;Oliveira, 2009a, b). However, these events are considered rare in wild populations (Walter, 1914) because albino animals are more susceptible to predation (Sazima and Di-Bernardo, 1991;Parsons and BonderupNielsen, 1995) and there are a number of pathologies that can arise in association with the albinism, such as visual (Pérez-Carpinell et al, 1992;Grant et al, 2001;Garipis and Hoffmann, 2003) and immunological defects (Manglani et al, 2004;Summers, 2009;Carretero et al, 2009). In the case of aquatic animals, Hain and Leatherwood (1982) and Fertl and Rosel (2002) also suggest that albino animals may exhibit lower heat absorption in colder waters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anomalous colour in Neotropical mammals: a review with new records for Didelphis sp. (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia) and Arctocephalus australis (Otariidae, Carnivora)

et al. 2013

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Anomalous colourations occur in many tropical vertebrates. However, they are considered rare in wild populations, with very few records for the majority of animal taxa. We report two new cases of anomalous colouration in mammals. Additionally, we compiled all published cases about anomalous pigmentation registered in Neotropical mammals, throughout a comprehensive review of peer reviewed articles between 1950 and 2010. Every record was classified as albinism, leucism, piebaldism or eventually as undetermined pigmentation. As results, we report the new record of a leucistic specimen of opossum (Didelphis sp.) in southern Brazil, as well as a specimen of South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) with piebaldism in Uruguay. We also found 31 scientific articles resulting in 23 records of albinism, 12 of leucism, 71 of piebaldism and 92 records classified as undetermined pigmentation. Anomalous colouration is apparently rare in small terrestrial mammals, but it is much more common in cetaceans and michrochiropterans. Out of these 198 records, 149 occurred in cetaceans and 30 in bats. The results related to cetaceans suggest that males and females with anomolous pigmentation are reproductively successful and as a consequence their frequencies are becoming higher in natural populations. In bats, this result can be related to the fact these animals orient themselves primarily through echolocation, and their refuges provide protection against light and predation. It is possible that anomalous colouration occurs more frequently in other Neotropical mammal orders, which were not formally reported. Therefore, we encourage researchers to publish these events in order to better understand this phenomenon that has a significant influence on animal survival.Keywords: albinism, hypopigmentation, leucism, Neotropical mammals, piebaldism.Coloração anômala em mamíferos Neotropicais: uma revisão com novos registros para Didelphis sp. (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia) e Arctocephalus australis (Otariidae, Carnivora) ResumoColorações anômalas ocorrem em muitos vertebrados tropicais. Entretanto, estas são consideradas raras em populações selvagens, havendo poucos registros para a maioria dos táxons. Reportam-se, neste estudo, dois novos casos de coloração anômala em mamíferos. Além disso, por meio de uma extensa revisão bibliográfica, foram compilados os casos publicados sobre coloração anômala em mamíferos neotropicais entre 1950 e 2010. Cada registro foi classificado como albinismo, leucismo, piebaldismo ou, eventualmente, como coloração indeterminada. Como resultados, reportouse o registro de um espécime leucístico de gambá (Didelphis sp.) no sul do Brasil e de um espécime de lobo-marinho sul-americano (Arctocephalus australis) com piebaldismo no norte do Uruguai. Também foram analisados 31 artigos científicos, resultando em 23 registros de albinismo, 12 de leucismo, 71 de piebaldismo e 92 registros classificados como de pigmentação indeterminada. A coloração anômala aparentemente é rara em pequenos mamíferos terrestres...

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“…However, a variety of colouration abnormalities of feathers and bare parts occur, albeit at very low frequencies (Sage 1962(Sage , 1963Ross 1964;Gross 1965;Forrest and Naveen 2000;McCardle 2012). There is a long history of documenting abnormal colouration in a variety of birds (Krüper 1857;Deane 1876;Newton 1877), but only recently has the physiological basis for the varying conditions been understood (Summers 2009). Historically, many individuals with any sort of lack of plumage colouration were termed "albino," des pite this term having a very specific meaning and the condition being very rare in wild populations (van Grouw 2010(van Grouw , 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aberrant Colouration in the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), the Common Murre (Uria aalge), and the Thick-billed Murre (U. lomvia) from Atlantic Canada

Bond¹,

Diamond²

2016

Can Field Nat

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. 2016. Aberrant colouration in the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), the Common Murre (Uria aalge), and the Thick-billed Murre (U. lomvia) from Atlantic Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 130(2): 140-145.The colour of birds' plumage and bare parts is an important feature in choice of mate, camouflage, thermoregulation, species recognition, and flight mechanics. Abnormalities in colouration occur in a variety of species and can have important consequences for an individual's survival and fitness. We present 7 new cases of colouration abnormalities in 3 species of auk (Alcidae) and review previous reports to correctly assign the proper form of abnormality to specimens in museums or photographs. Of the 53 reported colouration abnormalities, we reclassified 42, progressive greying being the most common (18 or 19 cases out of 42, 43-45%), followed by brown (10/42 cases, 24%), in addition to 6 cases of melanism, 4 of dilution, 2 of partial leucism, and 1 likely somatic mutation. Properly describing the form of colour abnormality improves our understanding of the frequency, causes, and consequences of aberrant colouration.

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Albinism: Classification, Clinical Characteristics, and Recent Findings

Abstract: Albinism is caused by several different genes. Heterogeneity in clinical phenotype indicates that expressivity is variable.

Cited by 176 publications

References 28 publications

First confirmed record of a leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc Islands

First confirmed record of a leucistic Antarctic fur seal pup born outside the Scotia Arc Islands

Anomalous colour in Neotropical mammals: a review with new records for Didelphis sp. (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia) and Arctocephalus australis (Otariidae, Carnivora)

Aberrant Colouration in the Atlantic Puffin (<i>Fratercula arctica</i>), the Common Murre (<i>Uria aalge</i>), and the Thick-billed Murre (<i>U. lomvia</i>) from Atlantic Canada

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