Albinism in <i>Didelphis virginiana</i> (Kerr, 1792): the first reported case in Mexico

Abstract

Abstract Atypical colorations occur in different groups of vertebrates. The loss of melanin in the skin, hair and eyes is the result of an autosomal recessive genetic entity. It causes individuals to present with a white coloration of the skin and hair, as well as red eyes, known as albino. This manuscript documents the first record in Mexico of complete albinism in a marsupial, Didelphis virginiana , captured in the Yucatan peninsula.