First albino white-eared opossums in the Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil: records of albinism in Didelphis albiventris (Lund, 1840)

Abstract

Unusual colorations are rare in Didelphis, but records are important to understand genetic aspects of the species. Albino individuals have a total absence of pigmentation throughout the body (skin and hair) and have eyes without traces of pigmentation, but with a red or pink color. We draw attention to the first two confirmed records of albinism in white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) and their karyotype. This is the first record of albinism in D. albiventris in Northeastern Brazil. This calls attention to develop future research on the genetic diversity and the risk of inbreeding and consanguinity in populations of this region.