White squirrel
A white squirrel may describe several species of squirrels.
One of the ways these white squirrels affect human society is inspired by the fascination that people seem to have over local populations of white squirrels.[1] A project run by Untamed Science documents user-submitted occurrence of both white squirrels, albinos, and other piebald morphs in the United States.[2]
Normal genetic color variation
[edit]White morphs are a common coloration in some populations of Finlayson's squirrel.
Eurasian red squirrels and Japanese squirrels may also rarely exhibit nearly white coloration, although they are not considered true white morphs.
Coloration caused by pigmentation-loss mutation
[edit]
In some squirrels, white coloration is caused by pigmentation-loss mutations such as albinism or leucism. Most white squirrels are non-albino eastern gray squirrel that exhibit leucism caused by a recessive gene found in certain populations.[1][3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Sainlar, Lindsay (11 September 2003). Robinson, Andrew (ed.). "Rare recessive gene makes Western's squirrels white". WKU Herald: Western Kentucky University's student newspaper. Bowling Green, Kentucky: The College Heights herald. OCLC 24620823. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ↑ The White and Albino Squirrel Phenomenon + New US Maps!
- ↑ "Debunking the Albino Squirrel: Lack of white, pink-eyed critters on campus may disprove superstition" by Hudson Lockett, The Daily Texan, May 1, 2009.