Abstract
Piebaldism is a genetic pigmentation disorder, which is caused by absence of melanocytes in parts of the skin and/or hair follicles, with eyes and claws normally pigmented. The occurrence of piebaldism in natural populations is rare and the effects on fitness are still unknown. This article reports the first case of pigmentation disorders in the Fringe-lipped Bat Trachops cirrhosus (Spix, 1823) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) caught in Barra do Triunfo, city of João Neiva, northeastern state of Espírito Santo, southeast Brazil.
Highlights
Records of the occurrence of pigmentation disorders in natural populations has grown worldwide (Uieda 2000; Zalapa et al 2016)
Two individuals of T. cirrhosus were collected as voucher specimens and taken to the "Laboratório de Estudos em Quirópteros" (LABEQ) of Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), where they were killed following the cervical dislocation protocol, fixed in 10% formalin and preserved in 70% ethanol in the mammal collection
While the female shows no trace of chromatic disorder, the male has fur and skin of the ventral region, around the genital area, completely white (Fig. 1)
Summary
Records of the occurrence of pigmentation disorders in natural populations has grown worldwide (Uieda 2000; Zalapa et al 2016). Piebald individuals have a variable distribution of white patches on the body, but the eyes are normally pigmented (Abreu et al 2013). Individuals that have pigmentation disorders are expected to show reduced fitness, because the phenotype appears at low frequency in natural populations. Argue that, in dark environments, selection for pigmentation is relaxed, resulting in a variety of colorless forms. Because bats generally select dark roosts and forage at night, their coloration may have no effect on predation or social behaviour (Buys et al 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
