First record of ocular albinism in sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) pups on Marion Island
dc.contributor.author | Shihlomule, Yinhla Desmond | |
dc.contributor.author | Weideman, Eleanor A. | |
dc.contributor.author | Van der Vyver, J.S. Fredrik | |
dc.contributor.author | Conry, Danielle S. | |
dc.contributor.author | Jordaan, Rowan Keith | |
dc.contributor.author | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-23T10:33:47Z | |
dc.date.available | 2025-05-23T10:33:47Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2024-02 | |
dc.description.abstract | We report on an occurrence of ocular albinism in sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) pups born on Marion Island, Prince Edward Archipelago. While previous observations have documented pups with atypical lanugo pelage colorations, this is the first case involving hypopigmentation of both fur and other tissues, including the eyes and nails. During the austral summer of 2021/22, we encountered four sub-Antarctic fur seal pups displaying this anomalous pigmentation. These anomalous individuals were found along two beaches on the island’s western side and one beach on the eastern side during an island-wide fur seal census. Although the characteristics observed strongly suggest ocular albinism, confirmation would be necessary through genetic analyses. The absence of melanin in mammalian eyes is known to compromise visual acuity, which may likely result in reduced survival beyond the weaning period, explaining the paucity of such adults in this well-observed population. | |
dc.description.department | Mammal Research Institute | |
dc.description.department | Zoology and Entomology | |
dc.description.librarian | am2025 | |
dc.description.sdg | SDG-15: Life on land | |
dc.description.sponsorship | Open access funding provided by University of Pretoria. | |
dc.description.uri | http://link.springer.com/journal/300 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Shihlomule, Y.D., Weideman, E.A., Van der Vyver, J.S.F. et al. 2024, 'First record of ocular albinism in sub‑Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) pups on Marion Island', Polar Biology, vol. 47, pp. 173-177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03217-6. | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0722-4060 (print) | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1432-2056 (online) | |
dc.identifier.other | 10.1007/s00300-023-03217-6 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/102493 | |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.publisher | Springer | |
dc.rights | © The Author(s) 2024. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. | |
dc.subject | Marion Island | |
dc.subject | Albinism | |
dc.subject | Arctocephalus tropicalis | |
dc.subject | Visual acuity | |
dc.subject | Anomalous pigmentation | |
dc.subject | Rheum | |
dc.subject | Sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) | |
dc.title | First record of ocular albinism in sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) pups on Marion Island | |
dc.type | Article |