Occurrence of Albinism in Wild Ungulates of Rajasthan, India
Hemsingh Gehlot
Wildlife Conservation Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Tapan Adhikari
Wildlife Conservation Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Narayan Lal Choudhary *
Department of Zoology, Adarsh Mahavidhyalaya, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Colour aberration, in particular albinism is characterized by the total absence or partial absence of skin pigmentation due to absence of active Tyrosinase enzymes in pigment cells. Absence of pigment cells affects skin and hair coloration, resulting in a total white fur or skin coat colour with red eyes. Present observations deal with the colour aberration of three species of wild ungulates, namely Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) from the different districts of Rajasthan state, India. Boselaphus tragocamelus individual was observed in Udaipur district, Antilope cervicapra from Jodhpur district and Gazella bennettii from Jalore district. During behavioral observation, all three species individuals performed normal behavioral activities. This kind of occurrence is rarely observed in field. Several activities of three albinism wild ungulate were also recorded.
Keywords: Albinism, ungulates, nilgai, blackbuck, Indian gazelle, Rajasthan