Leucism

18.11.2024

Leucism

Why in the news?

Tamil Nadu Forest Department staff and members of a non-governmental organization recently rescued a rare peacock with white feathers, caused by a genetic condition called leucism.

About Leucism:

• It is an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring.
• It is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
• In birds, leucism affects only the bird’s feathers, this means they do not have the normal, classic plumage colors.

○They may have white patches where the bird should not have any, or their overall plumage may look pale or bleached out.

Albinism vs. Leucism:

• Albinism is a rare genetic mutation with a complete absence of (or very little) melanin production.

○Melanin is a natural pigment in the skin, hair, eyes, and even brain tissue.

○The type and amount of melanin in animals determine the colour of the skin, hair, and eyes.

• With the lack of melanin production, albinos have white or pinkish coloured skin and red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through from behind the eyes.
• With leucism, there is only a partial loss of melanin production and/or distribution.

○The animal can have white or patchy coloured skin, hair, and/or feathers. The pigment cells in the eyes, legs, and bills of birds, however, are not affected.

                                                             Source: The Hindu

In birds, leucism results in:

A) Complete absence of feathers

B) Pale plumage with possible white patches

C) Brightly colored plumage

D) Iridescent feathers

Answer B