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First report of albinism in the white‐spotted bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium plagiosum (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscyllidae), with a review of reported color aberrations in elasmobranchs
Author(s) -
Clark Steven
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.10068
Subject(s) - biology , integumentary system , albinism , zoology , white (mutation) , bamboo , anatomy , ecology , genetics , gene
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.