Definitions

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  • adjective Affected by leucism.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Perhaps this is what is termed leucistic, in which pigment is not evenly distributed, though I don't tread confidently into this kind of science.

    Roundrock Journal 2010

  • A note on coloration: Besides their normal colors, animals can be albino (lacking color pigment in the hair, feathers, skin, and/or eyes), leucistic (white haired or feathered), melanistic (black haired or feathered), or “erythristic” (having unusual reddish pigmentation in the hair, feathers, or skin).

    Would You Shoot an Albino Game Animal? 2009

  • A leucistic southern elephant seal has been reported from a sub-Antarctic beach.

    White Elephant Seal 2009

  • A leucistic southern elephant seal has been reported from a sub-Antarctic beach.

    Archive 2009-05-01 2009

  • A leucistic specimen of a native snake has become one Vietnamese family's pet.

    Archive 2008-10-01 2008

  • The 22-year-old, whose name means white fog, lives along with three other giant leucistic alligators at the world famous Gatorland theme park in Florida.

    Archive 2009-02-15 Bill Crider 2009

  • Whether leucistic or albino, however, Mozian said the Polar Squirrel occupies a special place in his heart.

    White Squirrel Jan 2008

  • Meanwhile, I have to be satisfied with watching redwinged blackbirds harassing the leucistic redtailed hawk in the parking lot at Gray Cubicle World, great blue herons flying to and from the rookery at I-93 and I-495, and the seemingly enormous numbers of brown headed cowbirds that have appeared alongside Rt. 62 in Bedford.

    Archive 2007-06-01 2007

  • Meanwhile, I have to be satisfied with watching redwinged blackbirds harassing the leucistic redtailed hawk in the parking lot at Gray Cubicle World, great blue herons flying to and from the rookery at I-93 and I-495, and the seemingly enormous numbers of brown headed cowbirds that have appeared alongside Rt. 62 in Bedford.

    brief hiatus 2007

  • Welcome to the image of this extraordinary leucistic Atlantic Puffin

    10,000 Birds Charlie 2010

Comments

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  • In animals, having the condition characterized by reduced pigmentation. Unlike albinism, Leucism is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. Leucism is a general term for the phenotype that results from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair, or feathers during development. This results in either the entire surface (if all pigment cells fail to develop) or patches of body surface (if only a subset are defective) having a lack of cells capable of making pigment.

    December 10, 2007

  • Two similar words are erythristic and xanthistic.

    December 11, 2007

  • Yep. Thanks, mollusque.

    December 11, 2007