Albinism is a genetic condition that results in the complete or partial absence of pigmentation of the animals' skin, hair, and eyes. Although rare in wild animals, albinism has been albinism has been documented in several species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. It is caused by a mutation in one or more genes responsible for the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloring. Thus, the organism is unable to produce melanin, resulting in a white or pale pink appearance. This lack of pigmentation can impair the animal's ability to camouflage and protect itself from predators predators, as well as making it more susceptible to skin diseases and cancer.
Although albinism in wild animals is relatively rare, there are some species that appear to be more susceptible than others to albinism. species that seem to be more susceptible than others. Among mammals, for example, it has been recorded in tigers, lions, zebu, deer, tapirs, giraffes, and deer. Among birds, the most commonly most commonly affected species include owls, pigeons, waterfowl, and birds of prey.
Even if this change does not cause direct health problems in wild animals, they are unlikely to be seen in the wild, since the lack of pigmentation can make them more vulnerable to predators or prey. This is because the affected animals will have a reduction in their ability to camouflage, making it difficult for them to survive in their natural habitats. natural habitats. In addition, the lack of melanin can affect vision and hearing, increasing their susceptibility to predator attacks or making it difficult to hunt prey.
Because they are more susceptible to dermatological changes and cancer due to lack of protection ultraviolet rays, they may present injuries or premature death. They may also also have more difficulty in reproducing and forming social bonds with other individuals of the same same species, which may affect their survival and reproduction. And, unfortunately, the hunting of albino animals is also driven by the illegal wildlife trade in some parts of the world. illegal wildlife trade in some parts of the world. These factors combined make these animals a minority in the in the wild and therefore more difficult to see in the wild.
In captivity, changes in vision can affect the animals' ability to orient themselves in the enclosure, leading to stereotyped in the enclosure, leading to stereotyped behavior. Another common problem that affects albino animals in captivity is the lack of socialization with other individuals of the same species. Thus, it is important in their management to perform enrichments that allow the development of social and cognitive skills, in addition to providing well-designed spaces that offer protection against excessive exposure to sunlight.
Thus, the importance of these animals lies in their contribution to genetic diversity and to maintaining the integrity of the ecosystems in which they live, besides the fact that their changes and adaptations to their changes and adaptations to their environment represent a source of study to better understand the the evolution and ecology of a species.
REFERENCES
DE MELLO, Luciano Moura; CORRÊA, Luiz Liberato Costa; DE OLIVEIRA, Stefan Vilges. ALBINISMO EM ZORRILHO, CONEPATUS CHINGA (MAMMALIA, CARNIVORA, MEPHITIDAE). Revista de Ciências Ambientais, v. 10, n. 2, p. 157-161, 2016.
SILVA, Maraya Lincoln et al. Dermatite seborreica em anta albina (Tapirus terrestris). Veterinária e Zootecnia, v. 29, p. 1-7, 2022.
TORRES, Miriam; FRANKE, Irma. Reporte de albinismo en Podiceps major, Pelecanus thagus y Cinclodes fuscus y revisión de aves silvestres albinas del Perú. Revista Peruana de Biología, v. 15, n. 1, p. 105-108, 2008.
VEIGA, L. A. Um caso de albinismo em Tayassu tajacu Linnaeus (Artiodactyla, Tayassuidae) na
Serra do Mar, São José dos Pinhais, Paraná. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia, v. 11, p. 341-343, 1994.
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