First record of albinism in a cavy of the genus Galea Meyen, 1832 (Rodentia: Caviidae)

Abstract

Despite numerous records of albinism in native populations, reports of this condition are still considered rare for mammals. Until this study, 113 cases distributed in 69 species and 15 families have been reported in Rodentia. Here we record the first case of albinism in the genus Galea, and the first national case in a Brazilian Caviidae species. An adult individual of G. spixii was photographed in a coastal region in Piauí state, northeastern Brazil. We discuss the survival of this specimen in an open and anthropized area, and the possibility of inbreeding in the population.