First report of albinism in the white‐spotted bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium plagiosum (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscyllidae), with a review of reported color aberrations in elasmobranchs

Abstract

Three albinistic, white‐spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) (two males and one female) were hatched at SeaWorld parks. Due to their lack of integumentary and retinal pigments, all three animals were considered true albinos. The term “leucism,” more prominently used within the herpetological discipline, is suggested as a more apt description for previously reported color aberrations in elasmobranchs. Reports of color aberrations in other species of elasmobranchs, and a clarification of the terms used to describe these irregularities in pigmentation, are also presented. Zoo Biol 21:519–524, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

First record of partial albinism in two catfish species of Genidens (Siluriformes: Ariidae) in an estuary of Southern Brazil

“…A recent term, known as leucism, has also been introduced to the animals with abnormal skin pigmentation but normal eye color (Bechtel 1995). Recently, it has also been used in ichthyology (Clark 2002). In natural environment, there are several reports of total or partial albinism in freshwater fishes (Westerman and Birge 1978;Sazima and PombalJr.…”

Albinism in phylogenetically and geographically distinct populations of Astyanax cavefish arises through the same loss-of-function Oca2 allele

“…Albinism in a number of natural and captive animal systems arises through de novo genetic mutations (Brown and Norris, 1956;Frankham et al, 1986;Laikre, 1999;Clark, 2002;McPhee, 2004;Pelletier et al, 2009). Indeed de novo mutations could, in principle, explain the presence of albinism in Micos cavefish; however, we believe this is unlikely.…”

Color aberrations in Chondrichthyan fishes: first records in the genus Bathyraja (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae)

“…Pigmentation in ectothermic organisms is determined by chromatophores, one of which produces melanin, which controls black and brown pigments (Clark 2002). Retinal and integumentary pigmentation are derived from differing chromatophores, and are thus controlled separately, allowing for a broad spectrum of color aberrations (Bechtel 1995;Zhao et al 1997;Clark 2002).…”