Startseite First record of a white phenotype Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata) in Tahta, Sohag, Egypt
Artikel
Lizenziert
Nicht lizenziert Erfordert eine Authentifizierung

First record of a white phenotype Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata) in Tahta, Sohag, Egypt

  • Firas Hayder ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Zimkitha J.K. Madikiza ORCID logo , Mohamed G. Awad und Emmanuel Do Linh San ORCID logo
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 18. November 2024
Mammalia
Aus der Zeitschrift Mammalia Band 89 Heft 1

Abstract

Aberrant pelage colourations have been occasionally detected in carnivores, including mustelids. However, to our knowledge, no cases of leucism have been reported in the genus Mustela to date. On May 1, 2024, an Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata) killed by locals was discovered and photographed in the town of Tahta, Egypt. The specimen exhibited predominantly white fur on its left side and head. Although eye colour was not inspected, the normal lip colouration, dirty white fur hue, and dark brown tail tip suggest a case of leucism rather than albinism. Leucism is often linked to inbreeding caused by population isolation or size reduction, which could arise through urban development, considering that roads can act as social and physical barriers to gene flow. Genetic studies are needed to elucidate the population dynamics and conservation implications for urban Egyptian weasels.

Keywords: albinism; Egyptian weasel; genetic mutation; human–wildlife conflicts; hypopigmentation; leucism
Corresponding author: Firas Hayder, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa, E-mail:
Present address: Emmanuel Do Linh San, Department of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley 8300, South Africa

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: Firas Hayder wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Zimkitha J.K. Madikiza wrote and revised the paper and provided critical input. Mohamed G. Awad made the field observation and took the photo of the white Egyptian weasel. Emmanuel Do Linh San wrote and revised the paper and provided critical input. The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: The first draft of this manuscript benefited from the use of an AI tool for English language improvement and refinement.

  5. Conflict of interests: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

References

Acevedo, J. and Aguayo, M. (2008). Leucistic South American sea lion in Chile, with a review of anomalously color in otariids. Rev. Biol. Mar. Oceanogr. 43: 413–417, https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-19572008000200017.Suche in Google Scholar

Bensch, S., Hansson, B., Hasselquist, D., and Nielsen, B. (2000). Partial albinism in a semi-isolated population of great reed warblers. Hereditas 133: 167–170, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5223.2000.t01-1-00167.x.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Caro, T. (2005). The adaptive significance of coloration in mammals. BioScience 55: 125–136, https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0125:tasoci]2.0.co;2.10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0125:TASOCI]2.0.CO;2Suche in Google Scholar

Caro, T. (2013). The colours of extant mammals. Semin. Cell Dev. Biol. 24: 542–552, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2013.03.016.Suche in Google Scholar

Delibes, M., Mézan-Muxart, V., and Calzada, J. (2013). Albino and melanistic genets (Genetta genetta) in Europe. Acta Theriol 58: 95–99, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-012-0088-7.Suche in Google Scholar

Dickson, B.G., Jenness, J.S., and Beier, P. (2005). Influence of vegetation, topography, and roads on cougar movement in southern California. J. Wildl. Manage. 69: 264–276, https://doi.org/10.2193/0022-541x(2005)069<0264:iovtar>2.0.co;2.10.2193/0022-541X(2005)069<0264:IOVTAR>2.0.CO;2Suche in Google Scholar

Fertl, D. and Rosel, P. (2002) Albinism. In: Perrin, W.F., Würsig, B., and Thewissen, J.G.M. (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of marine mammals. Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 16–18.Suche in Google Scholar

Graipel, M.E., Bogoni, J.A., Giehl, E.L.H., Cerezer, F.O., Cáceres, N.C., and Eizirik, E. (2019). Melanism evolution in the cat family is influenced by intraspecific communication under low visibility. PLoS One 14: e0226136, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226136.Suche in Google Scholar

Hedges, L., Lam, W.Y., Campos-Arceiz, A., Rayan, D.M., Laurance, W.F., Latham, C.J., Saaban, S., and Clements, G.R. (2015). Melanistic leopards reveal their spots: infrared camera traps provide a population density estimate of leopards in Malaysia. J. Wildl. Manag. 79: 846–853, https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.901.Suche in Google Scholar

Hofmeester, T.R., Thorsen, N.H., Linnell, J.D.C., and Odden, J. (2021). Camera trap records of leucistic Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in central Norway. Ecol. Evol. 11: 12902–12907, https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8052.Suche in Google Scholar

Hubbard, J.K., Uy, J.A.C., Hauber, M.E., Hoekstra, H.E., and Safran, R.J. (2010). Vertebrate pigmentation: from underlying genes to adaptive function. Trends Genet. 26: 231–239, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2010.02.002.Suche in Google Scholar

Kottek, M., Grieser, J., Beck, C., Rudolf, B., and Rubel, F. (2006). World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorol. Z. 15: 259–263, https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130.Suche in Google Scholar

Laacke, R.J., Laudenslayer, W.F., Diamond, T., Viotto, K., and Long, C.A. (2006). Erythrism in the north American badger, Taxidea taxus. Southw. Naturalist 51: 289–291, https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909(2006)51[289:eitnab]2.0.co;2.10.1894/0038-4909(2006)51[289:EITNAB]2.0.CO;2Suche in Google Scholar

Majerus, M.E. and Mundy, N.I. (2003). Mammalian melanism: natural selection in black and white. Trends Genet. 19: 585–588, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2003.09.003.Suche in Google Scholar

Mammal Diversity Database (2024). Mammal diversity database (Version 1.13). Zenodo, [data set] https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595931.Suche in Google Scholar

McDonald, R.A. (2013) Mustela subpalmata Egyptian weasel. In: Kingdon, J., and Hoffmann, M. (Eds.), Mammals of Africa, Volume V: carnivores, pangolins, equids and rhinoceroses. Bloomsbury, London, pp. 85–87.Suche in Google Scholar

McDonald, R.A. and Do Linh San, E. (2016). Mustela subpalmata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016, Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41660/65993325.Suche in Google Scholar

Miller, J.D. (2005). All about albinism. Mo. Conserv. 66: 5–7.Suche in Google Scholar

Møller, A.P. and Mousseau, T.A. (2001). Albinism and phenotype of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) from Chernobyl. Evolution 55: 2097–2104, https://doi.org/10.1554/0014-3820(2001)055[2097:aapobs]2.0.co;2.10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb01324.xSuche in Google Scholar

Olson, L.O. and Allen, M.L. (2019). A leucistic [sic] fisher (Pekania pennanti) and the prevalence of leucism in wild carnivores. Am. Midl. Nat. 181: 133–138, https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031-181.1.133.Suche in Google Scholar

Owen, M. and Skimmings, P. (1992). The occurrence and performance of leucistic Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis. Ibis 134: 22–26, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919x.1992.tb07224.x.Suche in Google Scholar

Parsons, G.J. and Bondrup-Nielsen, S. (1995). Partial albinism in an island population of meadow voles. Microtus pennsylvanicus, from Nova Scotia. Can. Field-Nat. 109: 263–264, https://doi.org/10.5962/p.357626.Suche in Google Scholar

Pirie, T.J., Thomas, R.L., and Fellowes, M.D. (2016). Erythristic leopards Panthera pardus in South Africa. Bothalia 46: 1–5, https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v46i1.2034.Suche in Google Scholar

Riley, S.P., Foley, J., and Chomel, B. (2004). Exposure to feline and canine pathogens in bobcats and gray foxes in urban and rural zones of a national park in California. J. Wildl. Dis. 40: 11–22, https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-40.1.11.Suche in Google Scholar

Rizk, A.M., Ahmed, H.A.A., and Eisa, Y.A. (2019). Survey and distribution of weasels (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in popular and rural human habitats in Alexandria and Sohag Governorates. Egypt. J. Plant Prot. Res. Inst. 2: 332–338.Suche in Google Scholar

Rodrigues, M., Bos, A.R., Hoath, R., Schembri, P.J., Lymberakis, P., Cento, M., Ghawar, W., Ozkurt, S.O., Santos-Reis, M., Merilä, J., et al.. (2016). Taxonomic status and origin of the Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata) inferred from mitochondrial DNA. Genetica 144: 191–202, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-016-9889-y.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Ross, M.D., Hargey, A., Smyth, L.K., Mann, G.K., and Justin O’Riain, M. (2022). New records of white phenotype honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) from South Africa. Afr. J. Wildl. Res. 52: 12–16, https://doi.org/10.3957/056.052.0012.Suche in Google Scholar

Rüppel, E. (Ed.) (1826). Atlas zu der Reise im nördlichen Afrika. Erste Abteilung Zoologie der Senkenbergischen naturforschenden Gesellschaft. Säugethiere. Brönner, Frankfurt am Mein, pp. 1–78.10.5962/bhl.title.53779Suche in Google Scholar

Sánchez-Ferrer, Á., Rodríguez-López, J.N., García-Cánovas, F., and García-Carmona, F. (1995). Tyrosinase: a comprehensive review of its mechanism. Biochim. Biophys. Acta (BBA)-Protein Struct. Mol. Enzymol. 1247: 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4838(94)00204-t.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Searle, A.G. (1990). Comparative genetics of albinism. Ophthalm. Paediatr. Genet. 11: 159–164, https://doi.org/10.3109/13816819009020974.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Summers, C.G. (2009). Albinism: classification, clinical characteristics, and recent findings. Optom. Vis. Sci. 86: 659–662, https://doi.org/10.1097/opx.0b013e3181a5254c.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed

Tigas, L.A., Van Vuren, D.H., and Sauvajot, R.M. (2002). Behavioral responses of bobcats and coyotes to habitat fragmentation and corridors in an urban environment. Biol. Conserv. 108: 299–306, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3207(02)00120-9.Suche in Google Scholar

Wakil, A.W. (1932). The third pandemic of plague in Egypt. In: Historical, statistical and epidemiological remarks on the first thirty two years of its prevalence. The Egyptian University, Cairo.Suche in Google Scholar

Wood, C., Do Linh San, E., and Parker, D.M. (2022). A record of a melanistic rusty-spotted genet (Genetta maculata) from Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Afr. J. Wildl. Res. 52: 99–102, https://doi.org/10.3957/056.052.0099.Suche in Google Scholar
Received: 2024-07-08
Accepted: 2024-10-04
Published Online: 2024-11-18
Published in Print: 2025-01-29

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Conservation
  3. Demographic characteristics of the endangered Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia (Bovidae: Caprini) in the fenced Amassine reserve, Western High Atlas range, Morocco
  4. Rediscovery of a population of the plains spotted skunk, Spilogale interrupta, a species of conservation concern, from southern Texas, USA
  5. Ecology
  6. Ecology, distribution and habitat suitability analysis of the North African sengi (Petrosaltator rozeti, Macroscelidea, Afrotheria) in Tunisia
  7. New data on the poorly known Andean rodent Abrocoma uspallata (Rodentia: Abrocomidae)
  8. Complex reproductive and migratory patterns in the European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis) (Molossidae)
  9. Roosting ecology, reproduction, and population fluctuations of three Hipposideros species (Chiroptera) in Indonesian caves
  10. Exploring mammalian diversity in a human-modified landscape: insights from a small Cerrado fragment surrounded by silviculture
  11. Evolutionary Biology
  12. Cytogenetic data from remote areas of Amazon: new karyotypes for spiny rats (Rodentia: Echimyidae)
  13. Pigmentation anomalies and lesions in bats from Oaxaca, Mexico
  14. Camera trapping reveals the reddish phenotype of jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) on the western border of Brazilian Pantanal
  15. First record of a white phenotype Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata) in Tahta, Sohag, Egypt
  16. Biogeography
  17. First record of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta in Egypt during the past 5,000 years
  18. First records and extension of the geographic distribution of Cynomops kuizha (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in the Colombian Caribbean
https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0099
Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel
albinism; Egyptian weasel; genetic mutation; human–wildlife conflicts; hypopigmentation; leucism

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Conservation
  3. Demographic characteristics of the endangered Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia (Bovidae: Caprini) in the fenced Amassine reserve, Western High Atlas range, Morocco
  4. Rediscovery of a population of the plains spotted skunk, Spilogale interrupta, a species of conservation concern, from southern Texas, USA
  5. Ecology
  6. Ecology, distribution and habitat suitability analysis of the North African sengi (Petrosaltator rozeti, Macroscelidea, Afrotheria) in Tunisia
  7. New data on the poorly known Andean rodent Abrocoma uspallata (Rodentia: Abrocomidae)
  8. Complex reproductive and migratory patterns in the European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis) (Molossidae)
  9. Roosting ecology, reproduction, and population fluctuations of three Hipposideros species (Chiroptera) in Indonesian caves
  10. Exploring mammalian diversity in a human-modified landscape: insights from a small Cerrado fragment surrounded by silviculture
  11. Evolutionary Biology
  12. Cytogenetic data from remote areas of Amazon: new karyotypes for spiny rats (Rodentia: Echimyidae)
  13. Pigmentation anomalies and lesions in bats from Oaxaca, Mexico
  14. Camera trapping reveals the reddish phenotype of jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) on the western border of Brazilian Pantanal
  15. First record of a white phenotype Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata) in Tahta, Sohag, Egypt
  16. Biogeography
  17. First record of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta in Egypt during the past 5,000 years
  18. First records and extension of the geographic distribution of Cynomops kuizha (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in the Colombian Caribbean
Jetzt anmelden und 20% sparen
Institutioneller Zugang
Wie funktioniert Authentifizierung?
Haben Sie eine Idee, wie wir unsere Website verbessern können?
Bitte schreiben Sie uns.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Heruntergeladen am 21.9.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0099/html
Button zum nach oben scrollen