Abstract

GUEVARA, Lázaro; RAMIREZ-CHAVES, Héctor E.  and  CERVANTES, Fernando A.. Leucism in Mexican small-eared shrew Cryptotis mexicana (Mammalia: Soricomorpha), endemic to Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2011, vol.82, n.2, pp.731-733. ISSN 2007-8706.

Leucism is the partial or complete reduction of the fur pigmentation where eyes and skin maintain their normal coloration. In this paper, we report the record of an individual of the endemic Mexican shrew Cryptotis mexicana from Veracruz, México, that displays leucism. This lack of pigmentation, uncommon in the wild, may result in negative selective pressure on these mammals. Moreover, this genetic-based condition reflects on the low levels of genetic variability within natural populations.

Keywords : pigmentation; white fur; small mammals; Soricidae; Veracruz.