leucism

American  

[loos-iz-uhm] / ˈlusˌɪz əm /

noun

1. Zoology. in some animals, abnormally pale or blotchy coloring caused by a genetic mutation that reduces pigment in the skin, hair, feathers, or scales.

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Other Word Forms

• leucistic adjective

Example Sentences

Photos of the pale carnivore made headlines across the San Francisco area, with most reports suggesting that the North American badger likely has leucism, an abnormality marked by a partial loss of pigmentation.

From National Geographic • Feb. 12, 2024

However, the moose’s coloring could be the product of a nutritional deficiency while in utero or of a genetic condition called leucism — the partial loss of pigmentation.

From Washington Post • Jan. 18, 2023

SWT said the bird's lack of pigmentation was caused by a genetic condition called leucism.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2021

A deer can be born all white through two primary genetic mutations, albinism and leucism.

From Washington Times • Apr. 14, 2018

The moose wasn’t an albino either, according to National Geographic, but it had a partial form of leucism called piebald — where only specks of colors remain.

From The Verge • Sep. 17, 2017