Leucism in neotropical otters (<i>Lontra longicaudis annectens</i>) from Mexico

Abstract

Incidences of atypical color patterns in otters are scarce, particularly for the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis annectens). We report three L. l. annectens individuals, one with partial and two with total leucism; the first otter is from Río Temascaltepec, state of México, and the other two otters are from Mante, Tamaulipas, México. Because causes that induce this genetic alteration are poorly understood, possible factors that might induce this phenotypic abnormality and the adverse effects on Neotropical otter populations are discussed.