FIRST REPORT AND DESCRIPTION OF MELANISM AND ALBINISM IN GIANT ANTEATER, Myrmecophaga tridactyla (XENARTHRA, MYRMECOPHAGIDAE)

Abstract

Myrmecophaga tridactyla, the giant anteater, is a monospecific genus of anteater endemic to South and Central America. This species is marked by a predominantly brown or black coat, with anterolaterally elongated black and white stripes in its body and anterior black bands on its forelimbs. Chromatic variations are so far unknown for this species. Herein, we report and describe the first formal records of melanism and albinism in M. tridactyla and discuss the possible causes and environmental relationships of these color anomalies in the species.