First record of albinism for the doglike bat, Peropteryx kappleri Peters, 1867 (Chiroptera, Emballonuridae)

Abstract

Albinism is a type of deficient in melanin production could be the result of genetic anomalies that are manifest as the absence of coloration of part or the entire body of an organism. This type of chromatic disorder can affect several vertebrate species, but is rarely found in nature. Among bats, more than 450 cases of total or partial loss of body pigmentation have been reported. Herein we provide the first report of albinism for the bat species Peropteryx kappleri (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) with two such specimens being observed from iron formation caves in a conservation unit "Floresta Nacional de Carajás", Amazon forest, northern of Brazil.