Dermatite seborreica em anta albina (Tapirus terrestris) / Seborrheic dermatitis in albino lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) / Dermatitis seborreica en tapir albino (Tapirus terrestris)

O albinismo é uma desordem genética recessiva em que a produção de melanina é reduzida ou ausente, o que interfere na pigmentação da pele, pelos e olhos dos indivíduos. É considerada de rara ocorrência natural, principalmente em animais selvagens. Indivíduos albinos são altamente suscetíveis a injúrias na pele causadas pelo sol, já que a exposição aos raios ultravioletas (UV) de forma cumulativa pode ser prejudicial. Este relato discorre sobre a ocorrência de seborreia seca em uma anta albina (Tapirus terrestris), mantida sob cuidados humanos. A seborreia seca é uma enfermidade cutânea de caráter crônico em que ocorre falha na queratinização da epiderme, formando excessivamente escamas e alterando a oleosidade da pele e pelos. O tratamento clínico instituído foi baseado na aplicação tópica de solução dermatológica hidratante spray e em mudanças realizadas no recinto a fim de diminuir a incidência de luz solar no indivíduo. O resultado foi satisfatório e teve como auxílio um microscópio digital portátil que foi utilizado periodicamente até a recuperação do animal.(AU)

Albinism is a recessive genetic disorder in which melanin prodution is reduced or absent, interfering with pigmentation of the skin, hair and eyes of individuals. It is considered to be of rare natural occurrence, mainly in wild animals. Albino individuals are highly susceptible to skin damage caused by the sun, once cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful. This report discusses the occurrence of dry seborrhea in an albino lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), kept under human care. Dry seborrhea is a chronic skin disease in which there is a failure in the keratinization of the epidermis, forming excessive scales and altering the oiliness of the skin and hair. The clinical treatment instituted was based on topical application of a moisturizing dermatological spray solution and on changes made to the enclosure in order to reduce the incidence of sunlight on the individual. The result was satisfactory and had as na aid a portable digital microscope that was used periodically until the recovery of the animal.(AU)

El albinismo es una anomalía genética recesiva en la que la produccíon de la melanina está reducida o ausente, lo que interfiere com la pigmentación de la piel, pelaje y los ojos de los individuos. Se considera un fenómeno natural raro, principalmente en animales salvajes. Los albinos son muy susceptibles al daño de la piel por el sol, ya que la exposición acumulada a los rayos ultravioleta (UV) puede ser dañina. Este reporte discute la ocurrencia de seborrea seca en un tapir albino (Tapirus terrestris), mantenida bajo cuidado humano. La seborrea seca es una enfermedad crónica de la piel en la que falla la queratinización de la epidermis, formándose descamaciones excesivas y alterando la oleosidad de la piel y la pelaje. El tratamiento clínico instituido se basó en la aplicación tópica de uma solución dermatológica hidratante en spray y em la modificación del recinto para reducir la incidencia de la luz solar sobre el individuo. El resultado fue satisfactorio y tuvo como ayuda un miscroscopio digital portátil que se utilizó periódicamente hasta la recuperación del animal.(AU)

First report of complete albinism in Mazama americana (Erxleben, 1777) in the Biological Reserve of Tapirapé, Oriental Amazon, Brazil

Albinism is a genetic condition that results in total hypopigmentation of the eyes, fur, skin, hair, scales, and feathers of an organism. Albinism might result in a selective disadvantage for affected animals. Cases of albinism have been previously recorded in Neotropical vertebrates, such as reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish. However, observing albinism in a wild population is still considered to be a rare event. This paper reports a unique case of complete albinism in a red-brocket deer (Mazama americana) living in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. The individual was observed within the Biological Reserve of Pará State, one of the most deforested regions of the Brazilian Amazon. The survival of the albino red-brocket deer in the wild can be related to mechanisms of apostatic selection, which theorize the survival of individual prey animals whose mutations make them less likely to be attacked by predators. In other words, the more different a prey animal is from others, the less likely it will be targeted by predators. The high abundance prey animals within the Biological Reserve of Tapirapé seems to support this prediction. This report exemplifies the importance of monitoring the biodiversity and promoting the conservation of favorable habitats to support species multiplicity in highly fragmented regions, as in the Brazilian Amazon.

First report of complete albinism in Mazama americana (Erxleben, 1777) in the Biological Reserve of Tapirapé, Oriental Amazon, Brazil EN

Albinism is a genetic condition that results in total hypopigmentation of the eyes, fur, skin, hair, scales, and feathers of an organism. Albinism might result in a selective disadvantage for affected animals. Cases of albinism have been previously recorded in Neotropical vertebrates, such as reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish. However, observing albinism in a wild population is still considered to be a rare event. This paper reports a unique case of complete albinism in a red-brocket deer (Mazama americana) living in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. The individual was observed within the Biological Reserve of Pará State, one of the most deforested regions of the Brazilian Amazon. The survival of the albino red-brocket deer in the wild can be related to mechanisms of apostatic selection, which theorize the survival of individual prey animals whose mutations make them less likely to be attacked by predators. In other words, the more different a prey animal is from others, the less likely it will be targeted by predators. The high abundance prey animals within the Biological Reserve of Tapirapé seems to support this prediction. This report exemplifies the importance of monitoring the biodiversity and promoting the conservation of favorable habitats to support species multiplicity in highly fragmented regions, as in the Brazilian Amazon.(AU)

Malignant melanoma in albino water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) / Melanoma maligno em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) albinos

Two albino water buffalo affected by multiple melanocytic tumors in Southern Brazil are described. Grossly, there were multiple dark tumors within the skin, skeletal muscle, lungs, and lymph nodes. The tumor was also present in the pericardial sac, renal capsule, mediastinum and pleura. Microscopically, the tumors consisted of polyhedral epithelioid cells arranged in solid nests or interwoven fascicles supported by a thin and sparse collagenous stroma. The cytoplasm was eosinophilic and sometimes contained varying amounts of melanin pigment. The mitotic rates were low. Immunohistochemistry staining with Tyrosinase, Melan-A, Vimentin, S-100 protein, and neurofilament were positive. It is possible that the polymorphisms related to pigmentation in albino buffalo contributed with a high risk of developing melanoma as suggested in humans.(AU)

Descrevem-se melanomas múltiplos em dois búfalos albinos da raça Murrah no Sul do Brasil. Macroscopicamente havia múltiplos tumores enegrecidos no músculo esquelético, pulmões, linfonodos, saco pericárdio, cápsula renal, mediastino e pleura. Microscopicamente foram observadas células epitelióides poliédricas dispostas em ninhos sólidos ou fascículos entrelaçados sustentadas por um estroma colagenoso fino e esparso. O citoplasma era eosinofílico e por vezes continham quantidades variáveis de pigmento de melanina. A taxa de mitose foi baixa. Na imuno-histoquímica houve imunomarcação positiva utilizando anticorpo anti-tirosinase, anti-Melan-A, anti-vimentina, anti-proteína S-100 e antineurofilamento. É possível que o polimorfismo relacionado com o gene da pigmentação em búfalos albinos tenha contribuído para o maior risco de desenvolvimento de melanomas, como foi sugerido em humanos.(AU)

First report of partial albinism in genus Thrichomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae)

Reports about albinism in rodents are common. In the family Echimyidae, however, albinism is very rare. This is the second case of coat color variation reported within Echimyidae and the first for the genus Thrichomys. The pelages of Thrichomys pachyurus individuals with normal and variant coat color were observed under a fluorescent artificial light and were examined with a stereoscopic microscope. The descriptions of pelage color were based on the book “Color Standards and Color Nomenclature”. The predominantly white pattern of coat color in individuals of T. pachyurus suggests a partial albinism caused by delay in migration time of melanoblasts from neural crest to epidermis. The habitat of T. pachyurus has a heavy vegetative cover, which offers natural protection against predators and high-quality nutrition.

First report of partial albinism in genus Thrichomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae)

Reports about albinism in rodents are common. In the family Echimyidae, however, albinism is very rare. This is the second case of coat color variation reported within Echimyidae and the first for the genus Thrichomys. The pelages of Thrichomys pachyurus individuals with normal and variant coat color were observed under a fluorescent artificial light and were examined with a stereoscopic microscope. The descriptions of pelage color were based on the book “Color Standards and Color Nomenclature”. The predominantly white pattern of coat color in individuals of T. pachyurus suggests a partial albinism caused by delay in migration time of melanoblasts from neural crest to epidermis. The habitat of T. pachyurus has a heavy vegetative cover, which offers natural protection against predators and high-quality nutrition.(AU)

First report of albinism in trahira Hoplias malabaricus from Brazil / Primeiro registro de albinismo em traíra Hoplias malabaricus no Brasil

This paper is the first report on an adult female specimen of the trahira, Hoplias malabaricus, caught in the Pernambuco state, which exhibited the characteristics of total albinism.(AU)

Este trabalho é o primeiro registro sobre uma fêmea adulta de traíra, Hoplias malabaricus, capturada no estado de Pernambuco, que apresentou características de albinismo total.(AU)

Anomalous colour in Neotropical mammals: a review with new records for Didelphis sp. (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia) and Arctocephalus australis (Otariidae, Carnivora) / Coloração anômala em mamíferos Neotropicais: uma revisão com novos registros para Didelphis sp. (Didelphidae, Didelphimorphia) e Arctocephalus australis (Otariidae, Carnivora)

Anomalous colourations occur in many tropical vertebrates. However, they are considered rare in wild populations, with very few records for the majority of animal taxa. We report two new cases of anomalous colouration in mammals. Additionally, we compiled all published cases about anomalous pigmentation registered in Neotropical mammals, throughout a comprehensive review of peer reviewed articles between 1950 and 2010. Every record was classified as albinism, leucism, piebaldism or eventually as undetermined pigmentation. As results, we report the new record of a leucistic specimen of opossum (Didelphis sp.) in southern Brazil, as well as a specimen of South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) with piebaldism in Uruguay. We also found 31 scientific articles resulting in 23 records of albinism, 12 of leucism, 71 of piebaldism and 92 records classified as undetermined pigmentation. Anomalous colouration is apparently rare in small terrestrial mammals, but it is much more common in cetaceans and michrochiropterans. Out of these 198 records, 149 occurred in cetaceans and 30 in bats. The results related to cetaceans suggest that males and females with anomolous pigmentation are reproductively successful and as a consequence their frequencies are becoming higher in natural populations. In bats, this result can be related to the fact these animals orient themselves primarily through echolocation, and their refuges provide protection against light and predation. It is possible that anomalous colouration occurs more frequently in other Neotropical mammal orders, which were not formally reported. Therefore, we encourage researchers to publish these events in order to better understand this phenomenon that has a significant influence on animal survival.(AU)

Colorações anômalas ocorrem em muitos vertebrados tropicais. Entretanto, estas são consideradas raras em populações selvagens, havendo poucos registros para a maioria dos táxons. Reportam-se, neste estudo, dois novos casos de coloração anômala em mamíferos. Além disso, por meio de uma extensa revisão bibliográfica, foram compilados os casos publicados sobre coloração anômala em mamíferos neotropicais entre 1950 e 2010. Cada registro foi classificado como albinismo, leucismo, piebaldismo ou, eventualmente, como coloração indeterminada. Como resultados, reportou-se o registro de um espécime leucístico de gambá (Didelphis sp.) no sul do Brasil e de um espécime de lobo-marinho sul-americano (Arctocephalus australis) com piebaldismo no norte do Uruguai. Também foram analisados 31 artigos científicos, resultando em 23 registros de albinismo, 12 de leucismo, 71 de piebaldismo e 92 registros classificados como de pigmentação indeterminada. A coloração anômala aparentemente é rara em pequenos mamíferos terrestres, mas é muito mais comum em cetáceos e microquirópteros. Dos 198 registros encontrados, 149 ocorreram em cetáceos e 30 em morcegos. No caso dos cetáceos, este resultado sugere que machos e fêmeas com este padrão anômalo de pigmentação são reprodutivamente exitosos e, consequentemente, sua frequência está aumentando nas populações naturais. Com relação aos morcegos, este fenômeno pode estar relacionado ao fato de estes animais orientarem-se primariamente por meio de ecolocalização e seus refúgios oferecerem proteção contra luz e predação. É possível que a coloração anômala ocorra mais frequentemente em outras ordens de mamíferos neotropicais, as quais não foram formalmente reportadas. Desta forma, mostra-se importante encorajar os pesquisadores a publicar estes eventos em vida selvagem para um melhor entendimento deste fenômeno, que tem influência significativa na sobrevivência destes organismos.(AU)

Doenças hereditárias e defeitos congênitos diagnosticados em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) no Brasil / Hereditary diseases and congenital defects diagnosed in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Brazil

A review on hereditary diseases and/or congenital defects diagnosed in water buffaloes in Brazil is performed. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of each disease or group of diseases are briefly described. Hereditary diseases include acantholytic mechanobullous dermatosis, arthrogryposis, myotonia, hydranencephaly, chondrodysplasia, and albinism. Congenital defects of unknown cause include megaesophagus, heart defects (patent ductus arteriosus), dermatosparaxia, and different defects of the reproductive system. The breeds most affected by genetic diseases are those from Asian Continent (Murrah and Jafarabadi), probably as a result of inbreeding in Brazilian herds due the prohibition of importation of breeding buffalo from that continent. The diagnosis of two hereditary diseases, arthrogryposis and myotonia, in Rio Grande do Sul (southern Brazil) and Pará (nothern Brazil) suggests that the undesirable genes are widespread in the buffalo population. The identification of these genes by molecular techniques associated with the buffalo breeding with correct sanitary, zootechnical, and reproductive control practices can decrease the negative effects of genetic diseases in the Brazilian buffalo herd.(AU)

É realizada uma revisão sobre as doenças hereditárias e/ou defeitos congênitos diagnosticados em búfalos no Brasil. São descritos brevemente os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos de enfermidades hereditárias ou provavelmente hereditárias já observadas no Brasil, como dermatose mecanobolhosa, artrogripose, miotomia, hidranencefalia, condrodisplasia e albinismo; e dos defeitos congênitos que não tem uma causa ainda comprovada como megaesôfago, defeitos cardíacos (persistência do ducto arterioso), dermatosparaxia, defeitos no sistema reprodutivo e outros defeitos. Observou-se que as raças mais afetadas por enfermidades de natureza genética são as que têm origem no Continente Asiático (Murrah e Jafarabadi), provavelmente em consequência da consanguinidade existente nos rebanhos devido a proibição da importação de reprodutores, sêmen e embriões daquele continente. O diagnóstico de duas dessas doenças, artrogripose e miotomia hereditária no Rio Grande do Sul e no Pará, demonstra que os genes indesejáveis estão disseminados na população de búfalos no país e que a identificação desses genes por meio de técnicas moleculares associada à criação desta espécie com maior controle sanitário, reprodutivo e zootécnico pode minimizar os prejuízos decorrentes dessas enfermidades à bubalinocultura.(AU)

First report of albinism in trahira Hoplias malabaricus from Brazil / Primeiro registro de albinismo em traíra Hoplias malabaricus no Brasil

This paper is the first report on an adult female specimen of the trahira, Hoplias malabaricus, caught in the Pernambuco state, which exhibited the characteristics of total albinism.(AU)

Este trabalho é o primeiro registro sobre uma fêmea adulta de traíra, Hoplias malabaricus, capturada no estado de Pernambuco, que apresentou características de albinismo total.(AU)

First record of albinism in Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in South America and new records of leucism in central Argentina

Pigmentary disorders such as albinism and leucism are rare in bats. These phenomena are caused by genetic mutations resulting in complete absence of pigmentation in eyes, skin and fur (albinism) or partial or total deficiency of pigment in all the body or parts (leucism). While monitoring a maternal colony of Tadarida brasiliensis located in Rosario, central Argentina, one albino specimen and other 12 with different kinds of leucism were recorded. The albino T. brasiliensis represents the first record for Argentina and South America. Shapes and location of these pigmentary disorders were described in leucitic individuals and compared with previous records from other authors. Here we report a new type of leucism not described until now. These records constitute the first description for South America of many individuals with different leucitic patterns in the same colony. Possible ecological implications for these atypical patterns are discussed. Keywords: Bats; fur patterns; pigmentary disorders; Brazilian free-tailed bat.

First record of albinism in Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in South America and new records of leucism in central Argentina

Pigmentary disorders such as albinism and leucism are rare in bats. These phenomena are caused by genetic mutations resulting in complete absence of pigmentation in eyes, skin and fur (albinism) or partial or total deficiency of pigment in all the body or parts (leucism). While monitoring a maternal colony of Tadarida brasiliensis located in Rosario, central Argentina, one albino specimen and other 12 with different kinds of leucism were recorded. The albino T. brasiliensis represents the first record for Argentina and South America. Shapes and location of these pigmentary disorders were described in leucitic individuals and compared with previous records from other authors. Here we report a new type of leucism not described until now. These records constitute the first description for South America of many individuals with different leucitic patterns in the same colony. Possible ecological implications for these atypical patterns are discussed. Keywords: Bats; fur patterns; pigmentary disorders; Brazilian free-tailed bat.(AU)

First record of albinism in the Black mastiff bat Molossus rufus E. Geoffroy, 1805

Herein we document the first case of albinism in Black Mastiff bat Molossus rufus É. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1805. The specimen was collected in Iquitos City (Northwestern Peru); it was an adult male with ventral and dorsal white pelage, red eyes, and depigmented wing membranes, nose leafs and ears.

First record of albinism in the Black mastiff bat Molossus rufus E. Geoffroy, 1805

Herein we document the first case of albinism in Black Mastiff bat Molossus rufus É. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1805. The specimen was collected in Iquitos City (Northwestern Peru); it was an adult male with ventral and dorsal white pelage, red eyes, and depigmented wing membranes, nose leafs and ears.(AU)

First record of complete albinism in Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera; Phyllostomidae)

Albinism is a phenomenon present in many vertebrate species, and can be defined as the absence of normal pigmentation of an organism. In bats, complete albinism is considered a rare phenomenon, and its occurrence was recorded for less than 4% of all existing bat species. On 6 September 2012, an individual of Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) was captured in Igaporã, Bahia, and it had all characteristics of complete albinism, lacking normal pigmentation over the entire body surface, including the iris. The purpose of this paper is to report the first record of complete albinism in Carollia perspicillata and thereby increase the number of species recorded with such anomalies; in addition to contributing to the understanding of this pigmentation disorder.(AU)

First record of complete albinism in Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera; Phyllostomidae)

Albinism is a phenomenon present in many vertebrate species, and can be defined as the absence of normal pigmentation of an organism. In bats, complete albinism is considered a rare phenomenon, and its occurrence was recorded for less than 4% of all existing bat species. On 6 September 2012, an individual of Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) was captured in Igaporã, Bahia, and it had all characteristics of complete albinism, lacking normal pigmentation over the entire body surface, including the iris. The purpose of this paper is to report the first record of complete albinism in Carollia perspicillata and thereby increase the number of species recorded with such anomalies; in addition to contributing to the understanding of this pigmentation disorder.