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

The badger's appearance "was definitely abnormal coloration, but it didn't strike me as leucism."

From National Geographic

A female penguin with leucism from the Gentoo species has been filmed at a base in Antarctica.

From BBC

White penguins are rare because leucism is a recessive gene, and they may be more vulnerable to predators due to being more easily seen.

From BBC

Those animals had a genetic condition called leucism, which blocks skin cells from producing pigments.

From National Geographic