Phenotypic parallelism of color aberrations in the Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), American mink (Mustela vison), and sable (Martes zibellina)

Abstract

The frequency of color aberrations in the seal population of Commander Islands was studied. Albino, acromelanism, nonspecific piebaldness, golden, and ferret type color phases were recorded at fre quencies about 10 -4 . They are phenotypically similar to the same phases in sable and color mutations in farm bred American mink. The evolutionary significance of color aberrations in natural populations is discussed. And then a miracle happened. From over the nearest rocky ledge a white otter swam out. Not believing my eyes, I anxiously waited for him to move just a little closer. When there were up to 20 meters to the ani mal, doubt disappeared. It really was the white sea ape, "toion," the Sea ape Prince, floating in front of me.