Primer reporte de leucismo en un tapir amazónico (Perissodactyla, Tapiridae) nacido bajo cuidado humano

Abstract

Leucism is an atypical recessive genetic condition, particularly noticeable in the skin and hair of certain mammals. This condition has been frequently reported in several groups of mammals, but not in tapirs. In this scientific note we report the birth of a male Amazonian tapir with a prominent white area distributed in the center of the flanks, in addition to the characteristic white spots, typical of infants of this genus. The event occurred in December 2019 at the Amaru Biopark, in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador.